Stereolithographic Shaping From Liquid Precursor Patents (Class 264/401)
  • Patent number: 11426945
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printing methodology is disclosed for freeform fabrication of hydrophobic structures without the use of printed support structures. The build material is directly printed in and supported by a fumed silica-containing yield-stress support bath to form an intermediate article in the support bath material. The intermediate article may be liquid or only partially solidified after being printed into the support bath material. The intermediate article is then heated or irradiated with ultraviolet radiation to initiate cross-linking to solidify the printed intermediate article, forming a finished article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yong Huang, Yifei Jin, Nevada J. Gellermann, Kaidong Song
  • Patent number: 11422459
    Abstract: A data generation method generates data for controlling an arrangement step in an imprint process that includes the arrangement step of arranging an imprint material on a substrate, a contact step of bringing the imprint material and a pattern portion of a mold into contact with each other, and a curing step of curing the imprint material. The method includes performing a first step of determining a plurality of first positions, based on information related to a boundary of the pattern portion in the substrate, as positions where the imprint material is to be arranged, and performing a second step of determining, after the first step, a plurality of second positions different from the plurality of first positions, as positions where the imprint material is to be further arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masayoshi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 11420393
    Abstract: The strength of a bond between two adjacent layers of a three-dimensional print is weakened by initiating fabrication of a top layer at a height greater than the processing height for the print. This technique may be used in particular at the interface between a raft or other support and an object being fabricated, after which the printing process may return to a regular process height for additional layers used to fabricate the remainder of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: MakerBot Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Sadusk, Filipp Gelman
  • Patent number: 11400643
    Abstract: A system for additively manufacturing a structure is disclosed. The system may include a support, and a print head operatively connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may have an outlet that is oriented at an oblique angle relative to a central axis of the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Tyler Wilson, Ryan C. Stockett
  • Patent number: 11396136
    Abstract: The present teachings according to various embodiments provides a support material for 3D printing. The support material includes poly(alkylene carbonate) having a decomposition temperature of from 100° C. to about 300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Carolyn P. Moorlag, Nan-Xing Hu, Valerie M. Farrugia
  • Patent number: 11390029
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus coupled to a server includes a melting portion melting a material to form a shaping material, an ejection portion ejecting the shaping material supplied from the melting portion, a shaping stage where the shaping material ejected from the ejection portion is stacked, a moving mechanism changing a relative position of the ejection portion and the shaping stage, a shape data generation portion generating second shape data for representing a shape of a three-dimensional shaped article including a shape representing identification information for identifying the three-dimensional shaped article using first shape data and the identification information for identifying the three-dimensional shaped article, a controller controlling the melting portion and the moving mechanism according to the second shape data, thereby producing the three-dimensional shaped article, and a communication portion transmitting the identification information for identifying the three-dimensional shap
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eizo Takahashi, Tsuyoshi Kitahara
  • Patent number: 11376786
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects by additive manufacturing, which may include: (a) optionally a window permeable to an inhibitor of polymerization; (b) a window mount to which the window is secured when the window is present; (c) optionally a carrier platform on which the three-dimensional object can be produced; (d) a carrier platform mount operatively associated with the window mount; (e) a drive assembly operatively associated with the window mount and the carrier platform mount; (f) a light source operatively associated with the window mount operatively associated with a patterning array; (g) an inhibitor of polymerization supply configured for operative association with the feed surface when present; and (h) at least one or two reactant supplies configured for operative association with the feed surface when present. Methods of making a three-dimensional object from a polymerization liquid that may use such apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Carbon, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob E. Feller, Jason P. Rolland, Joseph M. DeSimone
  • Patent number: 11380057
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a software tool that facilitates the presentation of a three-dimensional view of a construction project as well as the generation of various types of two-dimensional technical drawings based on this three-dimensional view. In one implementation, the software tool causes a computing device to engage in the following operations. The computing device may receive an indication of a desired clip height of a three-dimensional view at which to generate a two-dimensional technical drawing; identify a subset of meshes that intersect with a two-dimensional plane at the desired clip height; determine respective portions of each mesh that intersect the two-dimensional plane at the desired clip height; compile a dataset that defines the two-dimensional drawing; and render the two-dimensional drawing using the compiled dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Procore Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Winson Chu, Peter Wu, Christopher Myers
  • Patent number: 11370173
    Abstract: In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a system for forming a three dimensional (3D) object from a volume of photo-responsive material contained within a material container. A plurality of optical projection subsystems are adapted to be arranged circumferentially around a material container containing the volume of photo-responsive material, and are controlled by a controller. The optical projection subsystems direct optical projections at a plurality of angles ? through the volume of photo-responsive material. The optical projections are further directed about a z axis extending through the volume of photo-responsive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Brett Kelly, Robert Panas, Maxim Shusteff, Christopher Spadaccini, Hayden Taylor, Indrasen Bhattacharya
  • Patent number: 11364680
    Abstract: A manufacturing method includes using an additive manufacturing process to form a first object. The first object includes layers, among which is a first layer that comprises a first material and a second material. The first material surrounds the second material within the first layer. Both materials are solids that transition into liquids at corresponding first and second temperatures, the first temperature being lower than the second temperature. The method includes, after having formed the first object, exposing the first object to a temperature that is between the first temperature and the second temperature such that the first material melts, thereby leaving behind a second object, the second object comprising the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Inkbit, LLC
    Inventors: Javier Ramos, Richard Woudenberg, Wojciech Matusik
  • Patent number: 11364677
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for correcting an inhomogeneous intensity distribution of a radiation field generated by a radiation source, in particular a radiation source for a device for producing three-dimensional articles by the layer-by-layer solidifying, in a build plane, of a material that is solidifiable under the action of radiation. The device comprises a correcting or filtering device that is to be introduced, between the radiation source and the build plane, into a radiation path of a device for producing three-dimensional articles by the layer-by-layer solidifying of a material that is solidifiable under the action of radiation. Further, improved methods for producing a device for correcting an inhomogeneous intensity distribution of a radiation field generated by a radiation source, and methods and devices for producing a three-dimensional article are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Schultheiss GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Schultheiss
  • Patent number: 11361120
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing building information modeling data including the following steps: inputting a building information model's data that includes two types of multiple objects; identifying the objects to generate results of identification; dividing the objects into a first category and a second category in accordance with the results of identification; removing the objects of the second category; readjusting the first category of objects in accordance with a predetermined rule of a building energy simulation software; and defining attributes of the objects of the first category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: RUENTEX ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Samuel Yin, Wu-Sung Chen, Jui-Chen Wang, Ming-Huang Lin, Wen-Kuei Chang
  • Patent number: 11358221
    Abstract: A build part has a body that is additively manufactured on a platform. The body is defined by multiple layers of material consecutively stacked along a build axis and fused together. The body defines one or more fluid channels for directing fluid through the body. Each of the one or more fluid channels is oriented such that a centerline of the respective fluid channel is angled no greater than a maximum offset angle relative to the build axis throughout the length of the fluid channel. The maximum offset angle is no greater than 75 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Tyler Davis, Stephanie Albanito, Matthew J. Frizzell
  • Patent number: 11351721
    Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Ferguson, Konstantinos Oikonomopoulos, Steven Thomas, Benjamin FrantzDale, Nicholas M. Sohn, Maxim Lobovsky
  • Patent number: 11351725
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing device includes a build platform. A recoater is operatively connected to the build platform to move relative to the build platform to coat unfused powder onto a build on the build platform. The recoater includes a recoater mount defining a length-wise receptacle therein, and a recoater blade seated in the receptacle. A blade reel system is operatively connected to the recoater to replace the recoater blade in the receptacle during a build on the build platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Binek, David W. Morganson
  • Patent number: 11345079
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus to form a three-dimensional object with a plurality of layers of ink laminated includes a stage; a discharge head to discharge photocurable ink, toward the stage, for each layer in a height direction of the three-dimensional object; a driver to move the discharge head or the stage relative to the other; an irradiation device to cure the ink, for each layer, with curing light irradiation; and circuitry. The circuitry causes the discharge head to discharge the ink, according to slice data indicating a printing region and a non-printing region in each layer generated by sliding in the height direction of the three-dimensional object, corresponding to movement of the discharge head; and change, in each layer, illuminance of the curing light in the printing region and the non-printing region in accordance with a state of the printing region and the non-printing region indicated by the slice data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 11338511
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system, and associated methods, comprise an image projection system comprising a plurality of image projectors that project a composite image onto a build area within a resin pool. The composite image comprises a plurality of sub-images arranged in an array. The properties of each sub-image and the alignment of the position of each sub image within the composite image can be adjusted using a stack of filters comprising: 1) an irradiance mask that normalizes irradiance, 2) a gamma adjustment mask that adjusts sub-image energy based on a reactivity of the resin, 3) a warp correction filter that provides geometric correction, and 4) an edge blending bar at one or more sub-image edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Intrepid Automation
    Inventors: Ben Wynne, Jamie Lynn Etcheson, Christopher Sean Tanner, Robert Lee Mueller, Ivan Dejesus Chousal
  • Patent number: 11332625
    Abstract: Radiation curable compositions for additive fabrication are described and claimed. Such compositions are particularly suited for investment casting applications, and include a cationically polymerizable component, a radically polymerizable component, a certain type of prescribed antimony-free, sulfonium salt-based cationic photoinitiator, and a free-radical photoinitiator. In other embodiments, the composition may also include a photosensitizer and/or a UV/absorber. Also described and claimed is a method for using a liquid radiation curable resin for additive fabrication with a certain type of prescribed antimony-free, sulfonium salt-based cationic photoinitiator and a certain type of prescribed photosensitizer in an investment casting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Covestro (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventors: Tai Yeon Lee, Mike Scianna, Paulus Steeman, Marco Driessen, Johan Jansen, Sainath Vaidya
  • Patent number: 11331726
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the generative production of a three-dimensional object (2) by means of successive layer-by-layer selective solidification of construction material layers consisting of a solidifiable construction material (3), by means of at least one laser beam (5), comprising at least one device (4) for generating at least one laser beam (5) for layer-by-layer selective solidification of individual construction material layers consisting of solidifiable construction material (3), a flow device (9) for generating a fluid flow (10) that flows at least partially through a processing chamber (8) of said device (1), and a detection device (12) for detecting an item of flow information describing at least one physical parameter and/or at least one chemical parameter of the fluid flow (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Herzog
  • Patent number: 11325302
    Abstract: A system and method are provided enabling higher precision in composite based additive manufacturing (‘AM”). The method includes staging a fibrous material such as carbon fiber sheets by potentially cutting to length and placing a sheet onto an elevator. Above the elevator is a gantry that holds a moveable print head and a powder deposition device as well as an excess powder recapture device. A liquid is placed onto the fiber by the print head such that when the subsequent step of dusting the area with a plastic powder, the powder sticks to the area where the liquid was imaged. Subsequently, excess powder is removed and pressure and potentially heat are applied to sinter the layer and compress to the desired height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: James Lawton Giacobbi
  • Patent number: 11318555
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating scan instructions for forming a product using additive layer manufacture as a series of layers is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: RELIANCE RG LIMITED
    Inventors: William Thomas Richardson, Andrew McClelland, Hoyle Phil, Laidler Ian
  • Patent number: 11314231
    Abstract: An industrial asset item definition data store may contain at least one electronic record defining the industrial asset item. An automated support structure creation platform may include a support structure optimization computer processor. The automated support structure optimization computer processor may be adapted to automatically create support structure geometry data associated with an additive printing process for the industrial asset item. The creation may be performed via an iterative loop between a build process simulation engine and a topology optimization engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ananda Barua, Sathyanarayanan Raghavan, Arun Karthi Subramaniyan, Changjie Sun, Arvind Rangarajan
  • Patent number: 11312078
    Abstract: A waste curing device to cure waste generated by an additive manufacturing system, the waste curing device comprising: a container for receiving the waste; a movable cover positioned above the container; one or more waste nozzles mounted on the moveable cover and configured to deliver waste into the container; a static cover positioned above the container and below the movable cover; one or more curing sources mounted on the static cover and configured to provide curing radiation to cure the waste in the container; wherein the movable cover is configured to move relative to the static cover to provide an open position for the waste nozzles to deliver waste into the container, and subsequently to a closed position, to shield the waste nozzles from curing radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Stratasys Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaniv Shitrit, Boris Belocon, Gal Begun
  • Patent number: 11312074
    Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a supporting liquid or a film disposed within a container, in addition to the build platform, a liquid photopolymer, and/or a previously formed layer of a material. The additive fabrication apparatus may comprise a container and a leveling element, wherein the leveling element is configured to move across a liquid-liquid interface to promote or create a flat interface between the two liquids. According to some aspects, the additive fabrication comprises a film disposed between two liquids, wherein the film maintains or provides a flat surface at the interface of the two liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Damiano, Dmitri Megretski, Shane Wighton, Maxim Lobovsky
  • Patent number: 11305482
    Abstract: A rapidly printing 3D nanostructures arrangement, comprising a first photonic source configured to provide photoinitiation energy to a polymer medium via a dynamic light spatial modulator to an excited state to initiate polymerization, a second photonic source configured to selectively provide inhibition energy to the polymerized medium to a depleted state to inhibit polymerization thereby generating a dead zone below a growth zone, the dead zone allows continuous 3D polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xianfan Xu, Bryan William Boudouris, Liang Pan
  • Patent number: 11305489
    Abstract: A 3D printing system, comprising a heated chamber; a printing base plate mounted inside the heated chamber; a cooling unit mounted outside and above the heated chamber; a printing nozzle; wherein the cooling unit is configured to surround the printing nozzle's upper side outside the heated chamber for cooling the printing nozzle's upper side and wherein the printing nozzle's lower side is mounted inside the heated chamber; and a nozzle heating unit mounted inside the heated chamber and around the printing nozzle's lower side at a distance from the outer surface of the printing nozzle; the heating unit configured to heat the printing nozzle's lower side; the system configured to receive a printing material for printing a 3D model inside the heated chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: D. Swarovski KG
    Inventors: Arik Bracha, Eran Gal-or
  • Patent number: 11298881
    Abstract: A method of determining a type of support structure for a three-dimensional (3D) object formed by additive manufacturing includes receiving solid model of the 3D object; performing a geometric analysis of the solid model to identify a region of the 3D object requiring a support structure; performing stress and warping analyses of the solid model at the region so identified, including one or more heuristic algorithms applied to the solid model, and excluding finite element analysis of a corresponding finite element model of the 3D object; selecting a type of support structure to place at the region so identified, the type of support structure being selected based on the stress and warping analyses so performed; and generating a shell of the 3D object based on the solid model, and including the support structure at the region so identified and of the type so selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Sterenthal, Kirill Volchek
  • Patent number: 11298854
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns a master model for the production of a mold, comprising: (a) a first part, a second part comprising a textured surface; wherein the first part and the second part are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Joerg Knappworst, Tay Tsyr Chun
  • Patent number: 11298877
    Abstract: A variable-size fully-automatic 3D printing system based on a cylindrical coordinate system includes a base provided with a retractable work platform; the base is provided with a vertical support side plate on a side thereof; an upper end of the support side plate is connected to a top plate, and the top plate is located directly above the base; a lower side of the top plate is connected to a sleeve via a column seat; a lower end of the sleeve is provided with a protrusion; a lower end of the protrusion is connected with a cross beam; a lower side of the cross beam is provided with a ball screw a, one end of the ball screw a is connected to a power end of a first servo motor disposed at an outer end of the cross beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: XI'AN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Gengxiang Wang, Pengfei Li, Kaihe Wei
  • Patent number: 11292185
    Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object, comprises: sequentially dispensing and solidifying layers to form on a surface a sacrificial structure. In embodiments the sacrificial structure comprises a bulk volume and heating cells embedded in the bulk volume, where the heating cells release more heat than the bulk volume upon the solidification of the layers. In embodiments, the sacrificial structure comprises pinning structures embedded in the bulk volume. The method also comprises sequentially dispensing and solidifying layers to form the three-dimensional object on a portion of the sacrificial structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Stratasys Ltd.
    Inventors: Mordechay Sokuler, Alexander Libinson, Shmuel Rubin
  • Patent number: 11284974
    Abstract: A system and method for post-processing of polymeric items having a liquid component and a predetermined heat deflection temperature is provided. The system includes a washing station to spray water at elevated temperature and pressure on the items while maintaining the temperature of the item below the heat deflection temperature. Then using a water distillation system to separate the water from the water mixed with the liquid polymer component by evaporating the water using heating coils with surface that is not conducive to adhesion of the liquid polymer component and then condense the water vapor into liquid water. The system may further include a spin station to separate the liquid polymer component by spinning the item. The system may further include one or more processing stations to rinse the item, dry the item, cure the item, remove the item from a tray to which the item may be attached and clean trays after removing the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Kaza, Shiva P. Sambu, Kamesh Tata, Michael J. Doung, Long Phan
  • Patent number: 11286389
    Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) article is disclosed. The method comprises I) printing a first thermoplastic silicone composition with a 3D printer to form an at least partially solidified layer. The method further comprises II) printing a second thermoplastic silicone composition on the at least partially solidified layer with the 3D printer to form a subsequent at least partially solidified layer. Optionally, step II) may be repeated with independently selected thermoplastic silicone composition(s) for any additional layer(s) to form the 3D article. The first and second thermoplastic silicone compositions are the same as or different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: DOW SILICONES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zachary Milroy, Sara Schaubroeck, Bizhong Zhu
  • Patent number: 11284973
    Abstract: A system and method for post-processing of polymeric items having a liquid component and a predetermined heat deflection temperature is provided. The system includes a washing station to spray water at elevated temperature and pressure on the items while maintaining the temperature of the item below the heat deflection temperature. Then using a water distillation system to separate the water from the water mixed with the liquid polymer component by evaporating the water using heating coils with surface that is not conducive to adhesion of the liquid polymer component and then condense the water vapor into liquid water. The system may further include a spin station to separate the liquid polymer component by spinning the item. The system may further include one or more processing stations to rinse the item, dry the item, cure the item, remove the item from a tray to which the item may be attached and clean trays after removing the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Kaza, Shiva P. Sambu, Kamesh Tata, Michael J. Doung, Long Phan
  • Patent number: 11284972
    Abstract: A system and method for post-processing of polymeric items having a liquid component and a predetermined heat deflection temperature is provided. The system includes a washing station to spray water at elevated temperature and pressure on the items while maintaining the temperature of the item below the heat deflection temperature. Then using a water distillation system to separate the water from the water mixed with the liquid polymer component by evaporating the water using heating coils with surface that is not conducive to adhesion of the liquid polymer component and then condense the water vapor into liquid water. The system may further include a spin station to separate the liquid polymer component by spinning the item. The system may further include one or more processing stations to rinse the item, dry the item, cure the item, remove the item from a tray to which the item may be attached and clean trays after removing the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Kaza, Shiva P. Sambu, Kamesh Tata, Michael J. Doung, Long Phan
  • Patent number: 11279853
    Abstract: A method of making an adhesive is provided, including obtaining an actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition disposed against a surface of an actinic radiation-transparent substrate and irradiating a first portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate for a first irradiation dosage. The method further includes irradiating a second portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate for a second irradiation dosage. The first portion and the second portion are adjacent to or overlapping with each other and the first irradiation dosage and the second irradiation dosage are not the same. The method forms an integral adhesive having a variable thickness in an axis normal to the surface of the actinic radiation-transparent substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Joseph C. Dingeldein, Jay A. Esch, Robert L. W. Smithson, Jayshree Seth, Olester Benson, Jr., Karen J. Calverley, Alexander J. Huffman, Serkan Yurt, Setareh Niknezhad, Michael A. Kropp, John P. Baetzold
  • Patent number: 11279062
    Abstract: A system including: a container for holding a photosensitive medium adapted to change states upon exposure to a light source; an optical imaging system, configured to move above the container holding the photosensitive medium, and having the light source; and a control system configured to: slice a digital model of a three-dimensional object into a slice having a cross section; generate a build cross section by filling a two-dimensional image with one or more copies of the cross section; add to the build cross section a conformal lattice to fill space in the build cross section around the one or more copies of the cross section; and control movement of the optical imaging system above the container to cure a portion of the photosensitive medium corresponding to the build cross section to produce a layer of a three-dimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suman Das, Dajun Yuan, Anirudh Rudraraju, Paul Cilino
  • Patent number: 11279122
    Abstract: A support bridge for supporting an in-air surface of a three-dimensional (3D) object during a print process includes a first end, a second end, and a horizontal span that spans between the first end and the second end. The first end, second end, and span are situated in an intermediate layer, and the first end and second end of the support bridge contact, respectively, first and second surfaces of an abutment layer of the 3D object. The support bridge is constructed during the print process and is configured to support the in-air surface of the 3D object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignees: ROBERT BOSCH TOOL CORPORTATION, ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Gregory A Herman, Balazs Nagy
  • Patent number: 11261279
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to actinic radiation curable polymeric mixtures, cured polymeric mixtures, tires and tire components made from the foregoing, and related processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua P. Abell, Michael R. Beaulieu, Douglas B. Costlow, Andrew V. Haidet
  • Patent number: 11260595
    Abstract: A light-curing 3D printer includes a main-tank, a printing platform, a lighting unit, a liquid material contained in the main-tank, an isolation fluid contained in the main-tank and floating upon the liquid material, a membrane arranged upon the isolation fluid, and an auxiliary mechanism. The 3D printer controls the lighting unit to emit light toward the liquid material according to slicing data of one cured-layer of a 3D model for forming a 3D object. The 3D printer then controls the printing platform to lower and activates the auxiliary mechanism to keep varying the status of the isolation fluid. Next, the 3D printer determines whether the 3D model is completed, and controls the lighting unit to emit light according to slicing data of a next cured-layer if the 3D model is not yet completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: XYZPRINTING, INC., KINPO ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wei-Chun Jau, Tsung-Hua Kuo, Hung-Peng Kang, Yi-Tang Kao
  • Patent number: 11260455
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an energy density map of an object to be built in an additive manufacturing environment are provided. Certain embodiments provide a method for building an object utilizing additive manufacturing, the method including: receiving a job file for building the object, wherein the job file includes a plurality of slices of the object, and wherein a first slice of the object indicates scanning lines for applying an energy source to build material to build the first slice of the object; determining operation parameters of the energy source; and generating a first energy density map of the first slice of the object based on the job file and the operation parameters of the energy source, wherein the first energy density map indicates an amount of energy from the energy source per area of build material applied to the build material for the first slice of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Materialise N.V.
    Inventors: Michele Pavan, Piet Van Den Ecker, Tom Craeghs
  • Patent number: 11254052
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes: a build table, at least a portion of which is transparent, the build table defining a build surface; a material applicator operable to deposit a radio-energy-curable resin on the build surface; a stage positioned facing the build surface of the build table and configured to hold a one or more cured layers of the resin; one or more actuators operable to change the relative positions of the build table and the stage; a radiant energy apparatus positioned adjacent to the build table opposite to the stage, and operable to generate and project radiant energy on the resin through the build table in a predetermined pattern; a drive mechanism operable to move the build table so as to expose a new portion thereof for each layer; and material remover operable to remove remnants from the build surface. A method for using the apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Richard Barnhart, Mary Kathryn Thompson
  • Patent number: 11254841
    Abstract: A method of making an adhesive is provided, including obtaining an actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition disposed against a surface of an actinic radiation-transparent substrate and irradiating a first portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate for a first irradiation dosage. The method further includes irradiating a second portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate for a second irradiation dosage. The first portion and the second portion are adjacent to or overlapping with each other and the first irradiation dosage and the second irradiation dosage are not the same. The method forms an integral adhesive having a variable thickness in an axis normal to the surface of the actinic radiation-transparent substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Joseph C. Dingeldein, Jay A. Esch, Robert L. W. Smithson, Jayshree Seth, Olester Benson, Jr., Karen J. Calverley, Alexander J. Huffman, Serkan Yurt, Setareh Niknezhad, Michael A. Kropp, John P. Baetzold
  • Patent number: 11254054
    Abstract: Printing systems, compositions suitable for the printing system, use of the compositions, methods for additive manufacturing, and exposure systems, all allowing for improved 3D manufacturing of products, include the exposure of layers of photopolymer material by two different wavelengths coming from LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: NTS Systems Development B.V.
    Inventors: Laurens van de Laar, Ranjana Chhaganbhai Baker
  • Patent number: 11241832
    Abstract: According to examples, an apparatus may include a back panel to absorb energy and an energy emitter to supply energy onto a build material layer. The energy emitter may include an energy emitting element and an outer tube. In addition, a reflective element may be provided on a portion of the outer tube facing the back panel to direct energy away from the back panel. The apparatus may also include a transparent panel, in which energy from the energy emitter may be emitted through the transparent panel and onto the build material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Arthur H. Barnes, William Winters, Daniel Fredrickson
  • Patent number: 11241822
    Abstract: Provided herein is a resin product useful for the production of three-dimensional objects by additive manufacturing, and methods using the same. The resin may include a reactive blocked prepolymer comprising a prepolymer blocked with reactive blocking groups; a polyol; a photoinitiator; and at least one organometallic catalyst. A packaged product useful for the production of three-dimensional objects by additive manufacturing, the product comprising a single container having a single chamber and a resin in the chamber with all components mixed together, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Carbon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Pinschmidt, Jr., Andrew Gordon Wright, Jason P. Rolland
  • Patent number: 11241821
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a laminar object includes discharging an active energy ray curable ink A, irradiating the active energy ray curable ink A with active energy rays, discharging an active energy ray curable ink B, and irradiating the active energy ray curable ink B with the active energy rays, wherein the amount of the active energy rays per pass is greater in the irradiating of the active energy ray curable ink A than that in the irradiating of the active energy ray curable ink B, wherein a surface roughness Sq1 of solid printed matter having a thickness of 40 ?m obtained in the discharging and the irradiating of the active energy ray curable ink A is 1.5 times or more than a surface roughness Sq2 of solid printed matter having a thickness of 40 ?m obtained in the discharging and irradiating of the active energy ray curable ink B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Arita, Mie Yoshino
  • Patent number: 11235529
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to computer implemented method of supporting on support elements during 3D printing on a print platform of a 3D print object to be 3D printed based on a 3D print model, comprising: obtaining the 3D model by the computer; and displaying a visual representation of the 3D model on a display connected to the computer, CHARACTERISED BY displaying the visual representation of the model with individually user-selectable faces; receiving, by the computer, input from the user on a selected one of the faces, for support by a minimum number of added support elements to minimize scarring of the object. Based on this input, the computer implemented method proceeds to automatically orient the model, place supports, and 3D print the object from the model. The user is relieved from tedious or cumbersome manipulations of the model before printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Atum Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Ramon Rudolf Tetteroo, Tristram Budel
  • Patent number: 11230050
    Abstract: A method of making at least one three-dimensional object by additive manufacturing, including: (a) producing, on a carrier platform, by bottom-up stereolithography from a single batch of polymerizable resin, a composite article comprising and produced in the sequence of: (i) an open lattice layer on the carrier platform; then (ii) a frangible layer on the lattice layer; and then (iii) at least one three-dimensional object on the frangible layer; then (b) cleaning the composite article with a wash liquid while on the carrier platform; (c) optionally separating the composite article from the carrier platform; and (d) optionally further curing the composite article; and then (e) separating the at least one three-dimensional object from the lattice layer by cutting or breaking the frangible layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Carbon, Inc.
    Inventor: Florian Markus Barth
  • Patent number: 11232881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-scatter grid (ASG) assembly comprising a first and a second grid, wherein the second grid is arranged on top of the first grid and comprises a lateral shift. The lamella thickness of the first grid is smaller than the lamella thickness of the second grid. The present invention further relates to a detector arrangement comprising a pixel detector and an ASG assembly arranged on top of the pixel detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Axel Thran, Heiner Daerr, Ewald Roessl, Gereon Vogtmeier
  • Patent number: 11225021
    Abstract: In a stereolithography apparatus a material provision device for print material (16) to be cured, in particular a photopolymer, is provided. The material provision device (10) receives a material cartridge (12) which in turn receives the print material (16) and surrounds it on all sides. The material cartridge (12) may be connected to an outlet valve unit (20) in a liquid-proof manner via which the print material (16) may be output and which is received at least partially in the material provision device (10) and which is supported at least partially thereon or therein or sealed against it. The outlet valve unit (20) comprises a valve (100) which is opened and closed depending on the relative position, in particular the swiveling position, of material provision device (10) and stereolithography apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Walter Pokorny, Jörg Ebert, Johannes Lorünser