Patents by Inventor Nicolas Vote

Nicolas Vote 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).

  • Patent number: 12623401
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method for delivering a flowable material from a nozzle of a programmable computer numeric control (CNC) machine, the nozzle being configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes. In one embodiment, the method includes actuating an extruder to form a flowable material, delivering the flowable material to a pump, sensing a pressure of the flowable material, and adjusting at least one of a speed of the extruder and a speed of the pump based on at least one of the sensed pressure and a rate of translation of the nozzle along one or more of the first, second, and third axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2025
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Scott G. Vaal
  • Publication number: 20260070283
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine includes a first segment that is movable while the additive manufacturing machine deposits material, a second segment being configured to move relative to the first segment, and an extruder having a screw disposed within a barrel. The machine also includes a pump having an inlet and an outlet, a nozzle physically coupled to the second segment and configurable to: (i) translate along a first axis, along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and along a third axis and (ii) dispense the material, and a controller configured to control a speed of the screw of the extruder and a speed of the pump based on increases or decreases in movement of the nozzle along at least two axes of the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis, in operation during deposition of the material in an arc or corner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Patent number: 12496777
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine includes a first segment that is movable while the additive manufacturing machine deposits material, a second segment being configured to move relative to the first segment, and an extruder having a screw disposed within a barrel. The machine also includes a pump having an inlet and an outlet, a nozzle physically coupled to the second segment and configurable to: (i) translate along a first axis, along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and along a third axis and (ii) dispense the material, and a controller configured to control a speed of the screw of the extruder and a speed of the pump based on increases or decreases in movement of the nozzle along at least two axes of the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis, in operation during deposition of the material in an arc or corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Publication number: 20250340014
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method for delivering a flowable material from a nozzle of a programmable computer numeric control (CNC) machine, the nozzle being configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes. In one embodiment, the method includes actuating an extruder to form a flowable material, delivering the flowable material to a pump, sensing a pressure of the flowable material, and adjusting at least one of a speed of the extruder and a speed of the pump based on at least one of the sensed pressure and a rate of translation of the nozzle along one or more of the first, second, and third axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2025
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicolas VOTE, Robert GAESSER, Scott G. VAAL
  • Patent number: 12384108
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method for delivering a flowable material from a nozzle of a programmable computer numeric control (CNC) machine, the nozzle being configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes. In one embodiment, the method includes actuating an extruder to form a flowable material, delivering the flowable material to a pump, sensing a pressure of the flowable material, and adjusting at least one of a speed of the extruder and a speed of the pump based on at least one of the sensed pressure and a rate of translation of the nozzle along one or more of the first, second, and third axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Scott G. Vaal
  • Publication number: 20250162250
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method for delivering a flowable material from a nozzle of a programmable computer numeric control (CNC) machine, the nozzle being configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes. In one embodiment, the method includes actuating an extruder to form a flowable material, delivering the flowable material to a pump, sensing a pressure of the flowable material, and adjusting at least one of a speed of the extruder and a speed of the pump based on at least one of the sensed pressure and a rate of translation of the nozzle along one or more of the first, second, and third axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicolas VOTE, Robert GAESSER, Brian S. SMIDDY, Scott G. VAAL
  • Publication number: 20240391167
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine includes a first segment that is movable while the additive manufacturing machine deposits material, a second segment being configured to move relative to the first segment, and an extruder having a screw disposed within a barrel. The machine also includes a pump having an inlet and an outlet, a nozzle physically coupled to the second segment and configurable to: (i) translate along a first axis, along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and along a third axis and (ii) dispense the material, and a controller configured to control a speed of the screw of the extruder and a speed of the pump based on increases or decreases in movement of the nozzle along at least two axes of the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis, in operation during deposition of the material in an arc or corner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Patent number: 12083743
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Publication number: 20240100773
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Patent number: 11872752
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Publication number: 20230219296
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicolas VOTE, Robert GAESSER, Brian S. SMIDDY, Scott G. VAAL
  • Patent number: 11607845
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Publication number: 20220305729
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicolas VOTE, Robert GAESSER, Brian S. SMIDDY, Scott G. VAAL
  • Patent number: 11383438
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: THERMWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Publication number: 20210362412
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Patent number: 11104072
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Patent number: 10688719
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Patent number: 10549477
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing methods. An exemplary method may include determining x and y coordinates for a tool path of an additive manufacturing machine, and calculating an angle of the tool path. The method may also include determining a position of a compression roller relative to the angle of the tool path, and moving the compression roller to position the compression roller relative to the angle of the tool path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote
  • Publication number: 20190322044
    Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicolas VOTE, Robert GAESSER, Brian S. SMIDDY, Scott G. VAAL
  • Patent number: 10377124
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method for delivering a flowable material from a nozzle of a programmable computer numeric control (CNC) machine, the nozzle being configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes. In one embodiment, the method includes actuating an extruder to form a flowable material, delivering the flowable material to a pump, sensing a pressure of the flowable material, and adjusting at least one of a speed of the extruder and a speed of the pump based on at least one of the sensed pressure and a rate of translation of the nozzle along one or more of the first, second, and third axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Scott G. Vaal