Incremental Layer Molding Type Patents (Class 264/308)
  • Patent number: 8956140
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional models by a layering technique, at least one print head (8) being provided for selective dispensing of at least one material onto a target surface in the form of droplets. The print head (8) is in engagement with a receptacle at two points spaced a distance apart, the position and alignment of the print head (8) relative to the target surface is steplessly adjustable in all spatial directions via these two points, and the receptacle and the target surface are movable in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Voxeljet AG
    Inventor: Andreas Dominik Hartmann
  • Patent number: 8956563
    Abstract: A molding method includes drawing cross-section elements of a three-dimensional object as a molding target on a drawing surface of a drawing stand with a liquid whose curing is precipitated by receiving activation energy as cross-section patterns; applying the activation energy to the liquid configuring the cross-section patterns in a state in which the cross-section patterns is pinched between the drawing stand and a molding stand; and detaching the cross-section patterns after being applied with the activation energy from the drawing stand and transferring the cross-section patterns to the molding stand side, wherein the drawing surface has a liquid repellent area that is an area representing liquid repellency for the liquid and a lyophilic area that is independently formed in an island shape within the liquid repellent area and is an area representing lyophillicity stronger than that of the liquid repellent area for the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Okamoto, Toshimitsu Hirai, Kohei Ishida
  • Publication number: 20150035186
    Abstract: A printing head for a printing system is disclosed. The printing head comprises a plurality of compartments, each having an outlet port for depositing liquid and an inlet port separately connectable to a separate liquid container. At least two compartments are in controllable fluid communication with each other, and the printing head comprises an arrangement of sensors configured for generating signals indicative of (i) a filling state of each compartment, and (ii) a fluid communication state between the at least two compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Stratasys Ltd.
    Inventors: Avraham Teken, Moshe Aknin, Gregory Brusilovski
  • Patent number: 8944802
    Abstract: A fused filament fabrication printer uses a plurality of fixed printing heads mounted to a structure over a build platform on which the model is built by constructing each layer of the model as the build platform is indexed through a multiplicity of successive print planes. The build platform may be in the form of a circular disk mounted for rotation about a z-axis and for linear motion along the z-axis between successive print planes, and for linear motion along a y-axis which is a selected radial direction perpendicular to the z-axis. Because the printheads are fixed, multiple printheads are easily affixed with respect to the build platform along the same radial line defining the y-axis transverse to the selected radial direction along which the build platform moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Radiant Fabrication, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan James Patterson, Kevin Lee Harris
  • Publication number: 20150030434
    Abstract: A damping device for being situated between a housing wall of a housing of a thermal gas turbine and a casing ring is provided. The casing ring includes an area radially internal with regard to a rotation axis of a rotor of the thermal gas turbine and facing rotating moving blades of the gas turbine. The damping device includes at least sectionally a porous damping structure. A method for manufacturing this type of damping device as well as to a thermal gas turbine, in particular an aircraft engine, in which this type of damping device is situated in a housing of the gas turbine between a housing wall and a casing ring are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Rudolf STANKA, Thomas Hess, Karl Maar, Karl-Heinz Dusel
  • Publication number: 20150021815
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes an additive manufacturing tool configured to supply a plurality of droplets to a part, a temperature control device configured to control a temperature of the part, and a controller configured to control the composition, formation, and application of each droplet to the plurality of droplets to the part independent from control of the temperature of the part via the temperature control device. The plurality of droplets is configured to build up the part. Each droplet of the plurality of droplets includes at least one metallic anchoring material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Christopher Hsu
  • Publication number: 20150017131
    Abstract: The present invention recognizes that there exists a long felt need for reliable hair growth methods and compositions that do not suffer from side effects and limitations of current technologies, such as surgery using a subject's own hair and pharmaceutical compositions. A first aspect of the present invention is a method of making at least one three dimensional collection of cells capable of forming a functional hair follicle. A second aspect of the present invention is a product produced by the method of making at least one three dimensional collection of cells capable of forming a functional hair follicle of the present invention. A third aspect of the present invention is a method of making at least one functional hair follicle. A fourth aspect of the present invention is a product produced by the method of making at least one functional hair follicle of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Jordan FABRIKANT
  • Publication number: 20150018136
    Abstract: A method of making a lacrosse head is provided. The method includes providing a lacrosse head design to a 3D printer, providing a first printing material to the 3D printer, the first printing material including carbon fiber or fiberglass, and printing the lacrosse head with the 3-D printer using the lacrosse head design and the printing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: James A. GOLDSTEIN, Jonathan BOND, Michael Kenneth HIGGINS
  • Publication number: 20150010461
    Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing and using reaction vessels obtained or obtainable by 3D-printin methods, including a method for preparing a product compound, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a reaction vessel that is obtained by a 3-D printing method, wherein the reaction vessel has a reaction space; (ii) providing one or more reagents, optionally together with a catalyst or a solvent, for use in the synthesis of the product compound; and (iii) permitting the one or more reagents to react in the reaction space, optionally in the presence of the catalyst and the solvent, in the reaction vessel, thereby to form the product compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Leroy Cronin
  • Patent number: 8926879
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a product in layers, said method comprising the following steps: (a) applying a layer of a curable material, (b) selectively curing predetermined zones of the applied layer on the basis of geometrical data of the product, (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until the geometry of the product has been created in the form of cured material and (d) removing the uncured material. According to the invention, a finish allowance, for example one with a wedge-shaped cross-section, is applied in steps (a) and (b), in one, two or more product sections in which an angle (?) between an axis perpendicular to the layers and at least one surface section of a contour of the product exceeds a predetermined value, to said surface section in such a way that the angle (?) between the axis perpendicular to the layers and the external surface in said product section does not exceed said predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Bego Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Vagt, Ralf Wehning
  • Patent number: 8926882
    Abstract: A ribbon liquefier comprising an outer liquefier portion configured to receive thermal energy from a heat transfer component, and a channel at least partially defined by the outer liquefier portion, where the channel has dimensions that are configured to receive the ribbon filament, and where the ribbon liquefier is configured to melt the ribbon filament received in the channel to at least an extrudable state with the received thermal energy to provide a melt flow. The dimensions of the channel are further configured to conform the melt flow from an axially-asymmetric flow to a substantially axially-symmetric flow in an extrusion tip connected to the ribbon liquefier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Samuel Batchelder, William J. Swanson, S. Scott Crump
  • Publication number: 20150004403
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a structural object, including using rapid prototyping technology, forming a structure body from a powder material whose main component is a water-soluble compound. The formed structure body is impregnated with an adhesive that provides adhesive function upon reaction with moisture contained in the structure body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsui, Nobuhiro Kihara, Junichi Kuzusako, Tatsuya Minakawa, Kazuo Niizaka
  • Publication number: 20150001762
    Abstract: Deployable On-Site Manufacturing Using 3D Printing is a low cost approach to manufacturing any of thousands of designs at any location. Crowd-sourcing populates a large library of models that can be produced using a small set of standard parts and 3D printed components, as well as highly specialized products. A vacuum metallization process is used in combination with the 3D printer allows printing of antennas designed for a particular frequency, beam form, amplification, size, and weight. These highly specialize products are printed and assembled on-site, as needed. Uses include disaster sites, emergency situations, remote operations, military operations, and homeland security.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Alberto Daniel Lacaze, Karl Murphy
  • Publication number: 20150004871
    Abstract: A toy building set comprising a number of moulded building elements and where the toy building set furthermore comprises at least one layered building element being designed by building layer on layer of plastic material, like in 3D-printing, and being provided with coupling parts by which the layered building element can be coupled together with one or more of the moulded building elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: LEGO A/S
    Inventor: Kenneth Wested Laursen
  • Patent number: 8920697
    Abstract: A consumable filament for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, where the consumable filament comprises a core portion of a first thermoplastic material, and a shell portion of a second thermoplastic material that is compositionally different from the first thermoplastic material, where the consumable filament is configured to be melted and extruded to form roads of a plurality of solidified layers of a three-dimensional object, and where the roads at least partially retain cross-sectional profiles corresponding to the core portion and the shell portion of the consumable filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: James K. Mikulak, Carl R. Deckard, Robert L. Zinniel
  • Patent number: 8915728
    Abstract: An example multi-dimensional component building system includes a first chamber having at least one base, a second chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the first chamber through a first door, and a third chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the second chamber through a second door. The second chamber is fluidly sealed from the first chamber if the first door is in a closed position. The second chamber includes a directed heat source, a build-up material and is configured to receive the at least one base if the fluid parameters of the first chamber and second chamber are approximately equal. The third chamber is fluidly sealed from the second chamber if the first door is in a closed position. The third chamber is configured to receive the at least one base, having a formed component disposed thereon, if the second door is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sergey Mironets, Agnes Klucha, Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Benjamin T. Fisk
  • Patent number: 8916085
    Abstract: A component is provided that includes at least one passageway. In another aspect, a component, such as a lamp or a vehicular washer jet, is made of layers of material, a light curable material and/or multiple built-up materials. Another aspect uses a three-dimensional printing machine to emit material from an ink jet printing head to build up a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Nicholas Jackson, Todd L. Hemingway, Walter B. Pipp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8911226
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for manufacture of three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process, whereby a spreader device is used to deposit particulate material in layers on a build platform and the particulate material flow, which occurs perpendicular to the spreading direction, is transferred into containers that are actively cleaned by sliders or brushes at the spreader device. It exploits the fact that particulate material that is moves dynamically can only bridge small height differences. The arrangement can be implemented in a space-saving manner beneath the spreading plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Voxeljet AG
    Inventors: Daniel Gunther, Johannes Gunther
  • Patent number: 8905742
    Abstract: A three-dimensional printer to fabricate three dimensional objects using a rotary build surface platen. This architecture achieves high space efficiency, and rigidity for precision. The apparatus size can be very small relative to the objects it can build. The 3D printer can also actively shape the side profile of a layer for greater fidelity with the ideal input geometry. The profile can be shaped through subtraction of material, or by constraining the material while it is deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Synerdyne Corporation
    Inventor: Mark S. Knighton
  • Patent number: 8905744
    Abstract: A transport container for use in a device for producing a three-dimensional object of selective solidification of a build-up material deposited in layers, in which the device has a process chamber closed during operation, where the three-dimensional object is produced in layers. The transport container has a container, in which a height-adjustable platform is arranged, on which the three-dimensional object is produced in layers. The process chamber has first and second sections in which the second section can be separated from the first section and operated in a separate state independently from the device and also can be connected to the first section to produce an operating state of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sintermask GmbH
    Inventor: Carl Fruth
  • Publication number: 20140348662
    Abstract: A concrete tower manufactured by an apparatus comprising a slipform, which is circumferentially guided in such a way that the slipform slides helically on top of the end face of the tower is provided. During the sliding, concrete is disposed by the slipform to the end face of the tower. After numerous revolutions, a low-cost tower is erected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Karsten Schibsbye
  • Publication number: 20140350497
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a device and method for treating tissues of the central nervous system and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a device and method for treating the brain tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Louis C. Argenta, David L. Carroll, Nicole H. Levi, Michael J. Morykwas, Stephen Tatter, William D. Wagner, Jie Liu
  • Patent number: 8894400
    Abstract: A stereolithography machine (1) includes: a container (2) suited to contain a fluid substance (3) that solidifies through exposure to predefined radiation (4a); an emitter (4) suited to emit the predefined radiation and to solidify a layer of the fluid substance having a predefined thickness and arranged adjacent to a bottom of the container; a modelling plate (5) supports the solidified layer (6); an actuator (7) that moves the modelling plate perpendicular to the bottom of the container; a leveler (8) in contact with the fluid substance, associated with a power source suited to move them with respect to the container so as to redistribute the fluid substance in the container. The power source moves the container in each one or the two opposite senses of a direction of movement (Y) and the leveler includes two paddles (9, 10) that are opposite each other with respect to the modelling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: DWS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Ettore Maurizio Costabeber
  • Patent number: 8894406
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a patterning mold configured to form a micropattern on a substrate or glass. The disclosed patterning mold includes a transfer body with a patterning part formed at one end of the transfer body to transfer a nanoparticle material to one surface of the substrate. The patterning mold further includes a fixing member coupled to an exterior of the transfer body, to prevent or reduce deformation of the exterior of the transfer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eui Sun Choi, Eun Soo Hwang, Young Tae Cho, Dong Min Kim, Jeong Gil Kim, Jong Woo Lee, Eun Ah Park
  • Patent number: 8888480
    Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system and equipment assembly for the manufacture of three-dimensionally printed articles is provided. The equipment assembly includes a three-dimensional printing build system, an optional liquid removal system and an optional harvester system. The build system includes a conveyor, plural build modules and at least one build station having a powder-layering system and a printing system. The equipment assembly can be used to manufacture pharmaceutical, medical, and non-pharmaceutical/non-medical objects. It can be used to prepare single or multiple articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Aprecia Pharmaceuticals Company
    Inventors: Jaedeok Yoo, Thomas J Bradbury, Thomas J Bebb, James Iskra, Henry L Surprenant, Thomas G West
  • Patent number: 8877874
    Abstract: A powder mixture is described, which is suitable for a layer-wise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object by solidifying a building material in powder form. The powder mixture consists of a mixture of a first polyamide 12 powder and a second polyamide 12 powder, wherein the first polyamide 12 powder is characterized by an increase of its viscosity number determined in accordance with ISO 307 that is less than 10%, when the powder is exposed for 20 hours to a temperature that lies 10° C. below its melting temperature under nitrogen atmosphere, and the second polyamide 12 powder is characterized by an increase of its viscosity number, determined in accordance with ISO 307, by 15% or more, when the powder is exposed for 20 hours to a temperature that lies 10° C. below its melting temperature under nitrogen atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventor: Stefan Paternoster
  • Patent number: 8877115
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for making an object (122) is disclosed. The apparatus has a flexible element (101) having an upwardly facing surface for disposing thereon a material (104) used to make the object, and a member (110) connected to an actuator (112) that can move the member (110). A controller is in communication the actuator (112). A method which may be executed using the apparatus (100) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Xydex Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Justin Elsey
  • Patent number: 8877112
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an article fabrication system having a plurality of material deposition tools containing one or more materials useful in fabricating the article, and a material deposition device having a tool interface for receiving one of the material deposition tools. A system controller is operably connected to the material deposition device to control operation of the material deposition device. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating an article using the system of the invention and a method of fabricating a living three-dimensional structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Bonassar, Hod Lipson, Daniel L. Cohen, Evan Malone
  • Publication number: 20140321927
    Abstract: A cutting insert for metalworking operations is retained within a cutting insert holder by a resilient tab on the holder that engages a recess on the stem of the insert. The cutting insert and the holder may be fabricated using rapid prototyping techniques such as 3D printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: KENNAMETAL INC.
    Inventor: Karen Anne Craig
  • Patent number: 8864482
    Abstract: A consumable assembly comprising a container portion configured to retain a supply of filament, a guide tube connected to the container portion, and a pump portion connected to the guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Swanson
  • Patent number: 8865047
    Abstract: A support construction and a method of creating a support construction in a volume generated by solid freeform fabrication, where the support construction includes layers of supporting materials, such layers comprising a continuous strip of material within such volume such that when the strip is lifted or pulled, the layers of supporting materials including the strip are removed together from the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Stratasys Ltd.
    Inventor: Nadav Sella
  • Patent number: 8858856
    Abstract: A method for building a three-dimensional object containing an identification-tag insert, the method comprising performing a build operation to form layers of the three-dimensional object using a layer-based additive technique, placing the identification-tag insert on at least a portion of the layers during the build operation, and reading information from the identification-tag insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Kozlak, Steven A. Chillscyzn, J. Samuel Batchelder
  • Publication number: 20140291893
    Abstract: A three-dimensional model built with an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, and having a perimeter based on a contour tool path that defines an interior region of a layer of the three-dimensional model, where at least one of a start point and a stop point of the contour tool path is located within the interior region of the layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Paul E. Hopkins, Donald J. Holzwarth
  • Patent number: 8845318
    Abstract: An imprint apparatus for imprinting a mold pattern onto a substrate or a member on the substrate includes a light source for irradiating a surface of the mold disposed opposite to the substrate and a surface of the substrate with light; an optical system for guiding the light from the light source to the surface of the mold and the surface of the substrate and guiding reflected lights from these surfaces to a spectroscope; a spectroscope for dispersing the reflected lights guided by the optical system into a spectrum; and an analyzer for analyzing a distance between the surface of the mold and the surface of the substrate. The analyzer calculates the distance between the surface of the mold and the surface of the substrate by measuring a distance between the surface of the mold and a surface formed at a position away from the surface of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhito Suehira, Junichi Seki, Hideki Ina
  • Patent number: 8834767
    Abstract: A process for making a resin panel having a shaped edge includes applying a resin material to a surface of a flat mold to form a layer of resin, partially curing the layer of resin, shaping an edge portion of the layer of resin with a shaped mold, applying a matrix material to the partially cured, partially shaped layer of resin, and curing the layer of resin and the matrix material to form a panel. In some embodiments, a pattern, design or image may be applied to the resin panel. Methods for forming other shaped components, such as edge pieces, from resin, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Giovanni Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Kirk D. Williamson, Flintoff C. Ringger, Matthew D. Boyack
  • Publication number: 20140252668
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for performing a multi-layer construction method using cementitious material has a reservoir (4) for containing cementitious material. The reservoir (4) is coupled to a print head (6) with a delivery nozzle (13). The delivery nozzle (13) can be moved by a robotic arm assembly (1) to index the nozzle (13) along a predetermined path. Flow of the cementitious material from the reservoir (4) to the nozzle (13) and to extrude the material out of the nozzle (13) is controlled in conjunction with indexing of the nozzle (13). A support material, an accelerating agent and a cartilage material may also be deposited from the print head (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Simon Austin, Richard Andrew Buswell, Sungwoo Lim, John Webster
  • Patent number: 8827684
    Abstract: A fused filament fabrication printer has a fixed extrusion module having multiple printheads having print tips. The fixed arrangement of the printing heads allows the close spacing of multiple print tips in a printhead unit, and the simple routing of multiple plastic or metal filaments to the individual printing heads. The closely spaced print tips in the printhead unit share common components. An exemplary printhead unit has four printing heads which share a common heating block and heating block temperature sensor. The heating block incorporates a group of four print tips evenly spaced along a line. Each printing head has a separate filament which is controlled and driven by its own stepper motor through the heating block to one of the print tips. Printing of a part is by control of individual stepper motors which drive filaments through the heating block and through one of the printing tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Radiant Fabrication
    Inventors: Nathan D. Schumacher, Nathan J. Patterson, Kevin L. Harris, Todd J. Bakken
  • Patent number: 8827681
    Abstract: An automatic powder recycling apparatus includes a housing, a plurality of isolation elements, an air-blowing device, a powder filtering member, a recycling member and an air-inhaling device. A sealed space is defined within the housing. The air-blowing device is disposed within the sealed space for removing the powder attached on the surface of the finished product. The air-inhaling device is in communication with the first receptacle for allowing the first receptacle to be in a negative pressure state. When the powder on the finished product is removed by the air-blowing device and directed to the powder filtering member by the air-inhaling device, the powder is filtered and blocked by the powder filtering member. When the air-inhaling device is disabled, the powder blocked by the powder filtering member naturally falls down to the recycling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Microjet Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chih-Kai Chen, Ke-Ming Huang, Kwo-Yuan Shi
  • Publication number: 20140246809
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments implement additive manufacturing processes that utilize multiple build heads. In one embodiment, an additive manufacturing apparatus includes: a plurality of build heads, each of which being adapted to cause the formation of a structure onto a surface; a substrate; and a translation system, where the translation system is associated with at least one of the plurality of build heads and the substrate, such that the spatial relationship between the plurality of build heads and the substrate can be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Douglas C. Hofmann, Jean Paul C. Borgonia
  • Patent number: 8815141
    Abstract: A method for building a three-dimensional model with an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system having an extrusion head, the method comprising depositing a consumable material from a liquefier assembly at an extrusion rate to substantially normalize a meniscus height within the liquefier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Swanson, Kevin C. Johnson, Timothy A. Hjelsand, J. Samuel Batchelder
  • Publication number: 20140232035
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an object includes an extrusion head having an extrusion needle for extruding thermoplastic material associated with one or more fiber strands. The apparatus may further include a turn-table, a more robotic arm for moving the extrusion head and needle, thermoplastic filament and fiber strand spools and thermoplastic filament and fiber strands. A controller is provided for directing the robotic arm, extrusion head and the turn-table. Further, a method for manufacturing an object includes generating a design for the object that substantially satisfies desired structural properties of the object and generating a sequence for extruding one or more beads of thermoplastic material to manufacture the object according to the design, in which the one or more beads of thermoplastic material are associated with one or more fiber strands. The one or more beads of thermoplastic material and the associated one or more fiber strands are then extruded according to the sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Hemant Bheda
  • Patent number: 8808603
    Abstract: A consumable assembly comprising a container portion configured to retain a supply of filament, a guide tube connected to the container portion, and a pump portion connected to the guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Swanson
  • Patent number: 8801423
    Abstract: A nozzle N which moves in a scan direction Ds along a surface Wf of a substrate W discharges an application liquid which contains a photo-curing material, and a light emitter E moving as if to follow the nozzle N irradiates light (UV light for instance) upon the application liquid. Arriving at an application end position, the nozzle N stops discharging the application liquid and retracts in a direction away from the substrate surface Wf. Meanwhile, the light emitter E keeps moving in the scan direction Ds, thereby irradiating even the terminating end of the application liquid with the light without fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Iwashima, Masakazu Sanada
  • Patent number: 8801986
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a molded object. The method includes: supplying a first liquid material to a first region out of a molding enabling region where a powder material is arranged and curing the powder material of the first region using a lamination molding technology to form a first insoluble part insoluble in a solvent; supplying a second liquid material different from the first liquid material to the powder material of a second region, which is provided so as to be surrounded by the first region, out of the molding enabling region and curing the powder material of the second region using the lamination molding technology to form a second soluble part soluble in the solvent; and dissolving the second part in the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsui, Nobuhiro Kihara, Junichi Kuzusako
  • Patent number: 8801990
    Abstract: A consumable filament for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, where the consumable filament comprises a first portion of a first semi-crystalline polymeric material, and a second portion of a second semi-crystalline polymeric material, and where the second semi-crystalline polymeric material has a crystallization temperature that is greater than a crystallization temperature of the first semi-crystalline polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: James K. Mikulak, Carl R. Deckard
  • Publication number: 20140212677
    Abstract: A method is described here for the layerwise construction of models, wherein, in a building region, a particulate material is applied layerwise and selectively cured. These steps are repeated until a desired model is obtained. The material comprises in this case a particulate building material and a spray-dried alkali metal silicate solution. Selective activation of the curing proceeds using a water-comprising solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Ingo Gnüchtel, Daniel Günther, Ingo Ederer, Christian Lustig, Edgar Müller
  • Publication number: 20140197576
    Abstract: The device and the method serve for the production of a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable by a sequential discharge of drops onto an object carrier for the object to be produced, the device including discharge unit with an outlet orifice discharges drops along an axis (s) in a direction to the object carrier, and control means configured to control the motion of the object carrier and the object on the one hand and the outlet orifice on the other hand relative to each other in space, where due to the fact that means are provided for a mutual alignment of the object carrier or the object on the one hand and the outlet orifice on the other hand and that can be controlled by control means, with the axis (s) in a mutually aligned state intersecting a surface of the object carrier or the already produced object, such that a method and a device are provided for the production of a three-dimensional object with geometric overhangs and/or undercuts using solidifiable materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: ARBURG GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Herbert KRAIBUHLER, Eberhardt DUFFNER
  • Patent number: 8778252
    Abstract: A 3-D printer system moves a printed tool over a print surface with a mechanism controlling a rotational angle of an arm holding the print tool and a revolutionary angle of axis of rotation of the printable area to eliminate the disadvantages of conventionally used linear motion mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Mackie, Nathan James Patterson, Benjamin L. Cox, Nathan D. Schumacher, George Wicks Petry
  • Patent number: 8777602
    Abstract: A system and method for layer-by-layer production of an object is provided. The system includes a construction shape having a carrying surface adapted for carrying a layer of build material, a plate having a holding surface adapted for holding an object in an object build area, a moveable reservoir having a plurality of containment surfaces defining a containment area adapted for containing a volume of build material within the moveable reservoir, and an exposure unit adapted for exposing at least a portion of the layer of build material in the object build area so that the portion of the layer of build material solidifies to form a solidified layer of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Tobgepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Adrianus Johannes Petrus Maria Vermeer, Herman Hendrikus Maalderink, Jacobus Hubertus Theodoor Jamar, Andries Rijfers, Mark Herman Else Vaes
  • Patent number: 8781615
    Abstract: A method of producing an object by sequentially printing layers of construction material one on top of the other, the method comprising: providing the construction material at a first lower temperature; flowing the construction material through a heated flow path in a flow structure to heat the construction material and delivering the heated construction material to a heated reservoir in a printing head; and dispensing the heated construction material from the reservoir to build the object layer by layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Stratasys Ltd.
    Inventors: Eliahu M. Kritchman, Slava Shtilerman