Patents by Inventor Randall M. Erb

Randall M. Erb 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: 11599033
    Abstract: Three-dimensional printing methods and systems use a derived geometry and aligns anisotropic inclusions in any orientation at any number of discrete volumetric sections. Structural, thermal, or geometry-based analyses are combined with inclusion alignment computations and print preparation methods and provided to 3D printers to produce composite material parts that meet demanding geometric needs as well as enhanced structural and thermal requirements. In one example, optimal inclusion alignment vectors associated with a section of the object are calculated based on specifications for the object, segmenting a three-dimensional model of the object into layer slices, grouping each section within each layer slice having similar alignment vectors and combining the groupings and generating printing instructions for the object according to the grouped alignment vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: 3DFortify, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Shores, Joshua J. Martin, Randall M. Erb
  • Publication number: 20220350305
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing more accurate, intricate structures via digital light processing additive manufacturing are provided. One or more digital transformations, or filters, are applied to 2D-images used to print the part to help eliminate the effects of scatter. The digital transformations can lead to higher doses of light to be applied to edges and smaller features while limiting an amount of exposure to light of larger features to avoid over-curing of the larger features. This can help keep the integrity of certain designs, such as lattices and other structures that are intended to have some porosity. The digital transformations can also be used in a diagnostic manner to help provide feedback on performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Randall M. Erb, Philip Michael Lambert, Alan Charles Cramer
  • Publication number: 20220314273
    Abstract: Methods for forming a coated digitally manufactured part include forming an article by a digital manufacturing method; coating a surface of the article with a reactive silicon-containing precursor polymer; and treating the polymer to form a silica-containing coating, thereby forming the coated digitally manufactured part. An article includes a digitally manufactured part having surface striations; and a coating encapsulating the digitally manufactured part and comprising silica. An article includes a digitally manufactured part (i) formed by selective lase sintering, (ii) comprising a surface defined by coalesced particles, and (iii) having a surface roughness Ra of at least 0.1 microns; and a coating encapsulating the part and comprising silica. A composition comprising polysilazane is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Noah Tremblay, Randall M. Erb, Joshua J. Martin
  • Publication number: 20210141314
    Abstract: Three-dimensional printing methods and systems use a derived geometry and aligns anisotropic inclusions in any orientation at any number of discrete volumetric sections. Structural, thermal, or geometry-based analyses are combined with inclusion alignment computations and print preparation methods and provided to 3D printers to produce composite material parts that meet demanding geometric needs as well as enhanced structural and thermal requirements. In one example, optimal inclusion alignment vectors associated with a section of the object are calculated based on specifications for the object, segmenting a three-dimensional model of the object into layer slices, grouping each section within each layer slice having similar alignment vectors and combining the groupings and generating printing instructions for the object according to the grouped alignment vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel T. Shores, Joshua J. Martin, Randall M. Erb
  • Patent number: 10928742
    Abstract: Three-dimensional printing methods and systems use a derived geometry and aligns anisotropic inclusions in any orientation at any number of discrete volumetric sections. Structural, thermal, or geometry-based analyses are combined with inclusion alignment computations and print preparation methods and provided to 3D printers to produce composite material parts that meet demanding geometric needs as well as enhanced structural and thermal requirements. In one example, optimal inclusion alignment vectors associated with a section of the object are calculated based on specifications for the object, segmenting a three-dimensional model of the object into layer slices, grouping each section within each layer slice having similar alignment vectors and combining the groupings and generating printing instructions for the object according to the grouped alignment vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: 3DFortify, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Shores, Joshua J. Martin, Randall M. Erb
  • Publication number: 20200326639
    Abstract: Three-dimensional printing methods and systems use a derived geometry and aligns anisotropic inclusions in any orientation at any number of discrete volumetric sections. Structural, thermal, or geometry-based analyses are combined with inclusion alignment computations and print preparation methods and provided to 3D printers to produce composite material parts that meet demanding geometric needs as well as enhanced structural and thermal requirements. In one example, optimal inclusion alignment vectors associated with a section of the object are calculated based on specifications for the object, segmenting a three-dimensional model of the object into layer slices, grouping each section within each layer slice having similar alignment vectors and combining the groupings and generating printing instructions for the object according to the grouped alignment vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel T. Shores, Joshua J. Martin, Randall M. Erb
  • Patent number: 10732521
    Abstract: Three-dimensional printing methods and systems use a derived geometry and aligns anisotropic inclusions in any orientation at any number of discrete volumetric sections. Structural, thermal, or geometry-based analyses are combined with inclusion alignment computations and print preparation methods and provided to 3D printers to produce composite material parts that meet demanding geometric needs as well as enhanced structural and thermal requirements. In one example, optimal inclusion alignment vectors associated with a section of the object are calculated based on specifications for the object, segmenting a three-dimensional model of the object into layer slices, grouping each section within each layer slice having similar alignment vectors and combining the groupings and generating printing instructions for the object according to the grouped alignment vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: 3DFortify, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Shores, Joshua J. Martin, Randall M. Erb
  • Publication number: 20200050119
    Abstract: Three-dimensional printing methods and systems use a derived geometry and aligns anisotropic inclusions in any orientation at any number of discrete volumetric sections. Structural, thermal, or geometry-based analyses are combined with inclusion alignment computations and print preparation methods and provided to 3D printers to produce composite material parts that meet demanding geometric needs as well as enhanced structural and thermal requirements. In one example, optimal inclusion alignment vectors associated with a section of the object are calculated based on specifications for the object, segmenting a three-dimensional model of the object into layer slices, grouping each section within each layer slice having similar alignment vectors and combining the groupings and generating printing instructions for the object according to the grouped alignment vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel T. Shores, Joshua J. Martin, Randall M. Erb
  • Publication number: 20150218337
    Abstract: A reinforced composite material based on a polymer matrix with reinforcement particles embedded therein. The polymer matrix is based on a polymer with soft and hard domains, and the reinforcement particles comprise inorganic nano-platelets in the polymer matrix in a volume fraction in the range of 0.01%-50%, the inorganic nano-platelets have a thickness in the range of 0.3-50 nm, with the proviso that the largest length and width is at least twice as large as the thickness; as well as inorganic micro-platelets in a volume fraction in the range of 1%-90%, wherein the inorganic micro-platelets have a thickness in the range of 10 nm-100 ?m, with the proviso that the largest length and width is at least twice as large as the thickness. Also disclosed are multilayer structures based on such layers, methods for making such multilayer structures and uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: ETH ZURICH
    Inventors: Andre R. Studart, Randall M. Erb, Rafael Augusto Nicolosi Libanori
  • Patent number: 8889761
    Abstract: A method for making a composite material with non-spherical reinforcing particles embedded in a matrix, is disclosed. In this method, in a first step magnetic and/or superparamagnetic nanoparticles are attached to the non-spherical reinforcing particles, in a second step the resulting reinforcing particles are introduced into a liquid matrix material and/or a liquid matrix-precursor material, and in a third step the material of the matrix is solidified and/or polymerized and/or cross-linked. In accordance with the proposed invention prior to and/or during solidification and/or polymerization and/or cross-linking of the matrix material or the matrix precursor material, respectively, a magnetic field is applied so as to align the reinforcing particles in the matrix and this alignment is fixed in the matrix during and after the third step, wherein the non-spherical reinforcing particles preferably have a length (l) in one dimension of at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: ETH Zurich
    Inventors: André Studart, Randall M. Erb, Rafael Libanori
  • Publication number: 20130053471
    Abstract: A method for making a composite material with non-spherical reinforcing particles embedded in a matrix, is disclosed. In this method, in a first step magnetic and/or superparamagnetic nanoparticles are attached to the non-spherical reinforcing particles, in a second step the resulting reinforcing particles are introduced into a liquid matrix material and/or a liquid matrix-precursor material, and in a third step the material of the matrix is solidified and/or polymerized and/or cross-linked. In accordance with the proposed invention prior to and/or during solidification and/or polymerization and/or cross-linking of the matrix material or the matrix precursor material, respectively, a magnetic field is applied so as to align the reinforcing particles in the matrix and this alignment is fixed in the matrix during and after the third step, wherein the non-spherical reinforcing particles preferably have a length (l) in one dimension of at least 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ETH Zurich
    Inventors: André Studart, Randall M. Erb, Rafael Libanori