Patents by Inventor Richard H. KNEBEL

Richard H. KNEBEL 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: 11813791
    Abstract: A method of producing a workpiece includes obtaining CAD data representing the workpiece in multiple workpiece layers. The CAD data includes multiple workpiece layer definitions corresponding respectively to the workpiece layers. The method includes selecting a first workpiece layer definition, preparing a powder bed of powder material on a build platform, and producing, based on the selected workpiece layer definition, a workpiece layer on the build platform by controlling a layer tool to selectively melt or sinter the powder material on the build platform. The method includes assessing the produced workpiece layer, including measuring the produced workpiece layer using a measuring head, analyzing the measurements of the produced workpiece layer, and, in response to the analysis indicating that the produced workpiece layer is defective, reprocessing the produced workpiece layer by controlling the layer tool to selectively melt or sinter the powder material on the build platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH, Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC
    Inventors: Marcin B. Bauza, Tobias Held, Richard H. Knebel, Thomas Engel, Nils Haverkamp, Rainer Sagemueller, Dominik Seitz
  • Publication number: 20210379823
    Abstract: A method of producing a workpiece includes obtaining CAD data representing the workpiece in multiple workpiece layers. The CAD data includes multiple workpiece layer definitions corresponding respectively to the workpiece layers. The method includes selecting a first workpiece layer definition, preparing a powder bed of powder material on a build platform, and producing, based on the selected workpiece layer definition, a workpiece layer on the build platform by controlling a layer tool to selectively melt or sinter the powder material on the build platform. The method includes assessing the produced workpiece layer, including measuring the produced workpiece layer using a measuring head, analyzing the measurements of the produced workpiece layer, and, in response to the analysis indicating that the produced workpiece layer is defective, reprocessing the produced workpiece layer by controlling the layer tool to selectively melt or sinter the powder material on the build platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Marcin B. BAUZA, Tobias HELD, Richard H. KNEBEL, Thomas ENGEL, Nils HAVERKAMP, Rainer SAGEMUELLER, Dominik SEITZ
  • Patent number: 11104064
    Abstract: A method of producing a workpiece by using additive manufacturing techniques includes obtaining CAD data representing the workpiece with workpiece layer definitions defining workpiece layers. The method includes selecting a first workpiece layer definition. The method includes preparing a powder bed of powder material on a build platform. The method includes measuring individual characteristics of the powder material on the build platform using a measuring head. The method includes producing, based on the selected workpiece layer definition, a workpiece layer on the build platform. The producing includes controlling a layer tool to selectively melt or sinter the powder material on the build platform. The producing is further based on the measured individual characteristics of the powder material to correct for detected flaws in the powder bed. The method includes selecting each one of the workpiece layer definitions and repeating the preparing, the measuring, and the producing for the selected definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH, Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC
    Inventors: Marcin B. Bauza, Richard H. Knebel, Thomas Engel, Nils Haverkamp, Rainer Sagemueller, Dominik Seitz, Tobias Held
  • Publication number: 20210107215
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for producing a workpiece using additive manufacturing techniques involve pre-process, in-process and post-process measurement in order to determine individual characteristics of one or more workpiece layers. In particular, dimensional and/or geometrical characteristics of a workpiece layer are measured before the next workpiece layer is produced. Advantageously, production parameters are controlled in response to individual material characteristics determined prior to the production process. Also advantageously, measurement results are fed back into a production process in order to increase accuracy, reliability, repeatability and precision of the production process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Marcin B. BAUZA, Diana SPENGLER, Christoph-Hilmar Graf Vom HAGEN, Claus HERMANNSTAEDTER, Michael TOTZECK, Robert ZARNETTA, Markus BIRKHOLD, Thomas ENGEL, Richard H. KNEBEL, Nils HAVERKAMP, Rainer SAGEMUELLER, Dominik SEITZ, Tobias HELD
  • Publication number: 20200147872
    Abstract: A method of producing a workpiece by using additive manufacturing techniques includes obtaining computer-aided design data representing the workpiece in multiple layers. The method includes providing build platforms and layer tools. Each layer tool is moveable relative to a respective build platform and configured to generate or solidify a material layer on the respective build platform. The method includes producing a first defined material layer of the workpiece on a first build platform by controlling a first layer tool according to a first layer definition. The method includes transferring the first defined material layer from the first build platform to a second build platform and measuring the first defined material layer using a first measuring head to measure individual characteristics. The method includes producing further material layers of the workpiece by controlling a second layer tool in accordance with further layer definitions as a function of the measured individual characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Marcin B. BAUZA, Richard H. KNEBEL, Thomas ENGEL, Nils HAVERKAMP, Rainer SAGEMUELLER, Dominik SEITZ, Tobias HELD
  • Patent number: 10532513
    Abstract: A method of producing a workpiece by using additive manufacturing techniques includes obtaining computer-aided design data representing the workpiece in multiple layers. The method includes providing build platforms and layer tools. Each layer tool is moveable relative to a respective build platform and configured to generate or solidify a material layer on the respective build platform. The method includes producing a first defined material layer of the workpiece on a first build platform by controlling a first layer tool according to a first layer definition. The method includes transferring the first defined material layer from the first build platform to a second build platform and measuring the first defined material layer using a first measuring head to measure individual characteristics. The method includes producing further material layers of the workpiece by controlling a second layer tool in accordance with further layer definitions as a function of the measured individual characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH, Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC
    Inventors: Marcin B. Bauza, Richard H. Knebel, Thomas Engel, Nils Haverkamp, Rainer Sagemueller, Dominik Seitz, Tobias Held
  • Publication number: 20190184631
    Abstract: A method of producing a workpiece by using additive manufacturing techniques includes obtaining computer-aided design data representing the workpiece in multiple layers. The method includes providing build platforms and layer tools. Each layer tool is moveable relative to a respective build platform and configured to generate or solidify a material layer on the respective build platform. The method includes producing a first defined material layer of the workpiece on a first build platform by controlling a first layer tool according to a first layer definition. The method includes transferring the first defined material layer from the first build platform to a second build platform and measuring the first defined material layer using a first measuring head to measure individual characteristics. The method includes producing further material layers of the workpiece by controlling a second layer tool in accordance with further layer definitions as a function of the measured individual characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Marcin B. BAUZA, Richard H. KNEBEL, Thomas ENGEL, Nils HAVERKAMP, Rainer SAGEMUELLER, Dominik SEITZ, Tobias HELD
  • Patent number: 10220566
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for producing a workpiece using additive manufacturing techniques involve in-process measurement in order to determine individual characteristics of one or more workpiece layers. In particular, dimensional and/or geometrical characteristics of a workpiece layer are measured before the next workpiece layer is produced. Advantageously, the measurement results are fed back into the production process in order to increase accuracy and precision of the production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH, Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC
    Inventors: Marcin B. Bauza, Richard H. Knebel, Thomas Engel, Nils Haverkamp, Rainer Sagemueller, Dominik Seitz, Tobias Held
  • Publication number: 20150061170
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for producing a workpiece using additive manufacturing techniques involve in-process measurement in order to determine individual characteristics of one or more workpiece layers. In particular, dimensional and/or geometrical characteristics of a workpiece layer are measured before the next workpiece layer is produced. Advantageously, the measurement results are fed back into the production process in order to increase accuracy and precision of the production process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas ENGEL, Richard H. KNEBEL, Marcin B. BAUZA, Nils HAVERKAMP, Rainer SAGEMUELLER, Dominik SEITZ, Tobias HELD