Radiated Energy Patents (Class 425/174.4)
  • Patent number: 7658604
    Abstract: A specific-light-cured and pressure-differential embossing apparatus for embossing a specific-light-cured layer on a substrate includes a housing assembly, a mold, an elastic driving module, a pressure-difference generating module, and a specific light providing module. The substrate and the mold are disposed in a chamber of the housing assembly. The mold faces the specific-light-cured layer on the substrate. The elastic driving module is disposed in the chamber to divide the chamber into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber. The pressure-difference generating module, connected to the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber, generates a pressure difference between the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber, and drives the elastic driving module to move and thus to drive the mold to move and press the specific-light-cured layer. The specific light providing module provides specific light to the specific-light-cured layer to cure the specific-light-cured layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Sen-Yeu Yang, Fang-Sung Cheng, Tzu-Chien Huang, Po-Hsun Huang, Jian-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 7658603
    Abstract: An integrated system and method of integrating fluid dispensing technologies (e.g., direct-write (DW)) with rapid prototyping (RP) technologies (e.g., stereolithography (SL)) without part registration comprising: an SL apparatus and a fluid dispensing apparatus further comprising a translation mechanism adapted to translate the fluid dispensing apparatus along the Z-, Y- and Z-axes. The fluid dispensing apparatus comprises: a pressurized fluid container; a valve mechanism adapted to control the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid container; and a dispensing nozzle adapted to deposit the fluid in a desired location. To aid in calibration, the integrated system includes a laser sensor and a mechanical switch. The method further comprises building a second part layer on top of the fluid deposits and optionally accommodating multi-layered circuitry by incorporating a connector trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Sandia Corporation, Operator of Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventors: Francisco Medina, Ryan Wicker, Jeremy A. Palmer, Don W. Davis, Bart D. Chavez, Phillip L. Gallegos
  • Publication number: 20100019414
    Abstract: A method and a device for the manufacture of plastic packagings, the same being manufactured by stretch blowing a bottle-like preliminary packaging which is, after completion, treated by means of a laser and thus reshaped to the final packaging. Also, a plastic container manufactured according to this method and with this device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Franz Gmeiner, Volker Kronseder
  • Publication number: 20100019417
    Abstract: A device and a method for curing plastic moldings are particularly suited for curing hearing aid housings. A light source emits curing light and a holder, at least partially transparent to curing light, holds the plastic moldings. The holder has an elongate light guiding element, which is transparent to curing light, which has an emission portion for emitting curing light in a number of spatial directions, and which is formed in such a way that at least the emission portion can protrude into a convex curvature or an interior space of a plastic molding that is being held by the holder. The light guiding element guides curing light emitted from the light source to the emission portion and emits from there. The light guiding element may have a holding portion for holding the plastic molding. The holding portion and the emission portion may spatially overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENT PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Tze Peng Chua, Matthias Jorgas, Harald Klemenz, Eng Cheong Lim, Pei Chyi Kristy Lim, Nisha Shakila Ma
  • Publication number: 20100015271
    Abstract: A specific-light-cured and pressure-differential embossing apparatus for embossing a specific-light-cured layer on a substrate includes a housing assembly, a mold, an elastic driving module, a pressure-difference generating module, and a specific light providing module. The substrate and the mold are disposed in a chamber of the housing assembly. The mold faces the specific-light-cured layer on the substrate. The elastic driving module is disposed in the chamber to divide the chamber into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber. The pressure-difference generating module, connected to the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber, generates a pressure difference between the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber, and drives the elastic driving module to move and thus to drive the mold to move and press the specific-light-cured layer. The specific light providing module provides specific light to the specific-light-cured layer to cure the specific-light-cured layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Sen-Yeu YANG, Fang-Sung Cheng, Tzu-Chien Huang, Po-Hsun Huang, Jian-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20100015397
    Abstract: A method for forming a regularly repeating pattern in a thin film on a substrate by ablating it directly with radiation form a pulsed laser beam characterised in that the radiation beam is caused to pass through a suitable mask delineating the pattern, the image of the mask pattern being de-magnified onto the surface of the film by a suitable projection lens so that the energy density at the film is sufficiently high so as to cause the film to be removed directly by ablation, the imprinting steps being carried out: in a repetitive series of discrete laser ablation steps using a mask that is stationary with respect to the projection lens and represents only a small area of the total area of the substrate and using a single short pulse of radiation at each step to illuminate the mask, the radiation pulse having such an energy density at the substrate that it is above the threshold value for ablation of the film; and the series of discrete laser ablation steps being repeated over the full area of the surface of
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: OERLIKON BALZERS COATING (UK) LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Allott
  • Patent number: 7648354
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus includes a table on which a molding material is placed, a mold holding body that fixes and holds a mold disposed such as to be opposed to a surface of the table, a gimbal member which holds the mold holding body and which forms a convex spherical surface portion, a gimbal member formed with a concave spherical surface portion which is opposed and in contact with the convex spherical surface portion, a movable body that holds the gimbal member and which can advance and retreat in the vertical direction with respect to the table surface, and an attitude adjusting/holding unit that adjusts and holds attitude of the gimbal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsunori Kokubo, Yukio Iimura, Masakazu Kanemoto, Kentaro Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20100007062
    Abstract: A method for producing three-dimensional objects from a powder material which is capable of solidification by irradiation with a high-energy beam is disclosed. The method comprises homogeneously pre-heating the powder material by scanning with the high-energy beam along predetermined paths over a pre-heating area so that consecutive paths are separated by a minimum security distance which is adapted to prevent undesirable summation effects in the pre-heating area, and then solidifying the powder material by fusing together the powder material. Apparatus for producing such three-dimensional objects is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Arcam AB
    Inventors: Morgan Larsson, Anders Snis
  • Publication number: 20100007061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method or producing a container from a thermoplastic blank (2), comprising: a step in which the blank (2) is heated using at least one beam (22) of coherent electromagnetic radiation, and a step in which the container is formed from the bank (2) thus heated. The invention also relates to an installation (1) which is used to produce containers (2) and which comprises a unit (16) for heating the blanks (2) in order to form containers from the blanks (2) thus heated. The inventive installation (1) defines a path (23) along which the blanks (2) travel inside the heating unit (16). In addition, the heating unit (16) comprises at least one coherent electromagnetic radiation source (26) which is directed towards a zone (25) that is located on the aforementioned path (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Guy FEUILLOLEY, Luc DESOUTTER
  • Patent number: 7645133
    Abstract: A UV nanoimprint lithography process and its apparatus that are able to repeatedly fabricates nanostructures on a substrate (wafer, UV-transparent plate) by using a stamp that is as large as or smaller than the substrate in size are provided. The apparatus includes a substrate chuck for mounting the substrate; a stamp made of UV-transparent materials and having more than two element stamps, wherein nanostructures are formed on the surface of each element stamp; a stamp chuck for mounting the stamp; a UV lamp unit for providing UV light to cure resist applied between the element stamps and the substrate; a moving unit for moving the substrate chuck or the stamp chuck to press the resist with the element stamps and substrate; and a pressure supply unit for applying pressurized gas to some selected regions of the substrate to help complete some incompletely filled element stamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Jun-Ho Jeong, HyonKee Sohn, Young-Suk Sim, Young-Jae Shin, Eung-Sug Lee, Kyung-Hyun Whang
  • Publication number: 20090324766
    Abstract: A method for forming a mark includes ejecting a droplet of a liquid from a nozzle onto an ejection target position on a surface of an object along an ejecting direction; radiating a laser beam from a radiation port onto the ejection target position along a radiating direction; and pivoting the nozzle and the radiation port together about the ejection target position as a pivot center, thereby changing the angle between a normal line of the surface of the object and the ejecting direction and the angle between the normal line and the radiating direction while maintaining the angle between the ejecting direction and the radiating direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuji Iwata
  • Publication number: 20090324874
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a panel comprising a ligno-cellulose containing strand-like material, comprising the steps of treating the ligno-cellulose containing strand-like material with a combination of UV-radiation and ozone, either in-situ or ex-situ, mixing the resulting product with an adhesive composition, applying the resulting mix onto a press-bottom, and pressing and at least partially curing the composition to obtain a panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Guido Jozefina Wihelmus G.J.W. Meijers, Hubertus Marie Christine Stijnen, Johannes Gerardus Hubertus Marie J.G.H.M. Housmans
  • Publication number: 20090326706
    Abstract: A process of for creating process build parameters includes creating a set of process build parameters for laser-sintering of a part based on a thermal model of a parts bed of a laser sintering machine and empirical data from prior laser-sintered parts built in the parts bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Fink, Tracy L. Taylor, Lori A. Wegner, Bryon Shapey
  • Publication number: 20090302507
    Abstract: To provide a mold having optical transparency, release properties, mechanical strength, dimension stability and a highly precise micropattern, and having less deformation of the micropattern; and a process for producing a base material with a transferred micropattern having less deformation of the transferred micropattern, capable of transferring highly precise micropattern of the mold. A mold 10 comprising a transparent substrate (A) 12 having chemical bonds based on the functional groups (x) on the surface having an interlayer (C) 14 formed, having a difference in linear expansion coefficient (absolute value) of less than 30 ppm/° C. from the linear expansion coefficient of the following fluoropolymer (I), and further having a heat distortion temperature of from 100 to 300° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Kentaro TSUNOZAKI, Yasuhide Kawaguchi, Yoshihiko Sakane, Shuichi Shoji, Jun Mizuno, Shingo Kataza
  • Patent number: 7628600
    Abstract: A device (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layerwise solidification of a building material at positions in the respective layers that correspond to the object is provided. The device comprises a machine frame (2, 3, 4, 5) and a building space (10) that is positioned in the machine frame; an energy source (6) that emits a beam (9) for selectively solidifying the building material; and a ventilator (54) that generates an airflow (T) for cooling the energy source (6). There are provided connecting channels (55), which lead the airflow (T) onto a partition wall (56) that is limiting the building space (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventor: Hans Perret
  • Publication number: 20090295001
    Abstract: Systems and methods of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, for example, silicone hydrogel contact lenses, are provided. The present systems and methods provide certain amounts of ultraviolet light to contact lens mold assemblies that comprise a silicone hydrogel precursor composition. For example, the systems and methods may provide ultraviolet light at an intensity from 20 ?W/cm2 to 4000 ?W/cm2. The ultraviolet light intensity can be provided as substantially uniform levels to provide consistent curing for batches of silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: CooperVision, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20090295039
    Abstract: An apparatus for layerwise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (3) by solidification of a material, which can be solidified via electromagnetic radiation (7), comprises a source (6) for the electromagnetic radiation (7), a building space for manufacturing the three-dimensional object (3), a coupling window for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation (7) into the building space and a heating element (16) for heating the coupling window. By the heating element the temperature of the lens is increased during the building of the three-dimensional object. By the increased temperature the accumulation of contaminations on the coupling window is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Albert Fruth, Hans Perret
  • Publication number: 20090291308
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying layers of a powdery material (3a) at the locations corresponding to the cross-section of the object (3) in the respective layers by impact of electromagnetic radiation (7a) is provided, wherein a plastic powder, preferably polyamide, is used as powder, wherein the non-solidified powder (3a?) is subjected to a treatment by water or water vapour at increased temperatures after manufacturing the object, subsequently dried and thereafter used again to build-up a new object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Andreas Pfister, Mandy Gersch
  • Patent number: 7621733
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Lee Reynolds, Don Frederick Hunter
  • Publication number: 20090283938
    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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuhito Suehira, Junichi Seki, Hideki Ina
  • Publication number: 20090278287
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for processing the surface of substrates that scan a laser beam at one or more selected orientation angles. The orientation angle or angles may be selected to reduce substrate warpage. When the substrates are semiconductor wafers having microelectronic devices, the orientation angles may be selected to produce controlled strain and to improve electronic performance of the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Yun Wang, Shaoyin Chen
  • Patent number: 7614866
    Abstract: A solid imaging apparatus is provided that includes a replaceable cartridge containing a source of build material and an extendable and retractable flexible transport film for transporting the build material layer-by-layer from the cartridge to the surface of a build in an image plane. An operator using the device needs merely to remove a spent cartridge and replace it with a fresh cartridge to continue solid imaging virtually uninterrupted. The apparatus also includes the capability of withdrawing and inserting an imager without the operator having to perform a separate alignment step. A brush attached to the transport film and forming part of the cartridge provides for intra-layer removal of excess uncured build material. If desired, the apparatus can produce a fully reacted build. A high intensity UV source cures the build between layers. An injection molded build pad is designed to hold a build in an inverted position for improving the build.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Sperry, Dennis F. McNamara, Jr., Suzanne M. Scott, Charles W. Hull, Jouni Partanen, Mehdi Mojdeh, William J. Pappas, Richard O. Gregory, II
  • Publication number: 20090267269
    Abstract: A continuous-wave (CW) ultraviolet (UV) curing system for solid freeform fabrication (SFF) is provided, wherein the curing system is configured to provide an exposure of UV radiation for one or more layers of UV-curable material. One or more UV exposures may initiate curing of a curable material in the layer dispensed by a solid freeform fabrication apparatus. One approach to provide the single or multiple UV exposures is the use of one or more UV LEDs, which generate UV radiation without generating any substantial amounts of infrared (IR) radiation at the same time. This allows for the curing process to be energy efficient and also allows for the SFF system to be far less complex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Jin Hong Lim, Hernando Vincente Angulo, John D. Clay, Khalil Moussa
  • Publication number: 20090261512
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus that forms a three-dimensional model by sequentially laminating cured resin layers through repetition of a cycle of selectively applying light to liquid photocurable resin to form a cured resin layer, further applying liquid photocurable resin on the cured resin layer, and applying light to form a cured resin layer. The apparatus includes a table, a dispenser to supply the liquid photocurable resin onto the table, a recoater to apply the photocurable resin, and a controller to slow down a moving speed of the recoater based on a moving distance of the recoater during application operation of the recoater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Kimitaka Morohoshi, Toshio Teramoto
  • Patent number: 7604473
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an injection apparatus and control method thereof. The apparatus comprises a nozzle to guide a raw material to flow into an injection mold, a microwave transmission part positioned at a portion of the nozzle, and a microwave generation part positioned near the nozzle to generate and irradiate microwaves to the microwave transmission part. With this structure, vulcanization of the raw material injected into the injection mold occurs uniformly and rapidly within the injection mold, thereby improving a quality of an injection molded product while increasing a speed of injection operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Gil Han, Jong Woon Park
  • Publication number: 20090256286
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the generation of raised and/or recessed structures on workpieces comprising the steps: applying a pressure difference between one side of a wall of the workpiece and another side substantially opposite thereto; local heating of the wall of the workpiece to a softening temperature of the workpiece by a heat source in order to induce local deformation of the wall of the workpiece; and cooling of the workpiece. The invention relates, moreover, to an apparatus for carrying out this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Klaus Lesche
  • Publication number: 20090256289
    Abstract: A method/process for curing imprint on a template prior to contact with a substrate. A curing process is used to adhere the imprint to a wafer or substrate. Monomer is deposited on a template and then partially cured using a UV exposure. The exposure is controlled so that the imprint is cured past the gel point, but still retains a thin liquid layer of uncured monomer at the surface that will bond with the wafer. Further, this partially cured layer enables the alignment adjustments between the template and the substrate to be performed after contact between the two without pulling any monomer out of the features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. Shackleton, Pankaj B. Lad, Ian M. McMackin, Frank Y. Xu, Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan
  • Publication number: 20090243125
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a biomedical device, such as an ophthalmic lens with an energy receptor capable of powering a processing device. The energy receptor can include a conductive material deposited onto a media and placed within a mold used to form the biomedical device. In some embodiments, the conductive material is ink jetted onto the media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts
  • Publication number: 20090230594
    Abstract: An imprint method of, in a state in which an indented surface of a mold comes in contact with a to-be-transferred surface of a to-be-transferred object, irradiating with electromagnetic waves to soften the to-be-transferred surface, and transferring an indented shape of the indented surface to the to-be-transferred surface, includes a heating layer forming step of forming, on the indented surface, a heating layer which absorbs the electromagnetic waves and generates heat; and a softening step of irradiating the heating layer with the electromagnetic waves, through the mold or the to-be-transferred object, at least one of the mold and the to-be-transferred object being made of a material which transmits the electromagnetic waves, causing the heating layer to generate heat, and softening the to-be-transferred surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Hiroshi Deguchi, Kawori Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090224433
    Abstract: A resin forming method and a resin forming apparatus for obtaining a resin formed product, by filling a cavity of a rubber-made mold with a thermoplastic resin, and cooling the thermoplastic resin. When filling the cavity with the thermoplastic resin, an electromagnetic wave generator is used, and electromagnetic waves having an intensity peak in a wavelength region of 0.78 to 2 ?m are irradiated to the thermoplastic resin from the surface of the mold, and thereby the thermoplastic resin is heated selectively from the mold. The thermoplastic resin is an ABS resin which either a noncrystalline thermoplastic resin, or is a rubber modified thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicants: TECHNO POLYMER CO., LTD., Nihon Rex Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Fumio Kurihara, Masamitsu Takami, Koichi Abe, Shinichi Iso
  • Publication number: 20090214686
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method forming conductive templates that includes providing a substrate; forming a mesa on the substrate; and forming a plurality of recessions and projections on the mesa with a nadir of the recessions comprising electrically conductive material and the projections comprising electrically insulative material. It is desired that the mesa be substantially transparent to a predetermined wavelength of radiation, for example ultraviolet radiation. As a result, it is desired to form the electrically conductive material from a material that allows ultraviolet radiation to propagate therethrough. In the present invention indium tin oxide is a suitable material from which to form the electrical conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Ian Matthew McMackin, Byung-Jin Choi, Ronald D. Voisin
  • Publication number: 20090214690
    Abstract: A method of producing a container from a thermoplastic blank, including a step in which the blank is heated using at least one beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation, and a step in which the container is formed from the blank thus heated. The invention also relates to an installation which is used to produce containers and which includes a unit for heating the blanks in order to form containers from the blanks thus heated. The inventive installation defines a path along which the blanks travel inside the heating unit. In addition, the heating unit includes at least one coherent electromagnetic radiation source which is directed toward a zone that is located on the aforementioned path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Guy Feuilloley, Luc Desoutter
  • Publication number: 20090212462
    Abstract: An imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed that has a first array of template holders, a second array of template holders, and a substrate table arranged to support a substrate to be imprinted, wherein the first array of template holders is arranged to hold an array of imprint templates that can be used to imprint a first array of patterns onto the substrate, and the second array of template holders is arranged hold an array of imprint templates that can be used to imprint a second array of patterns onto the substrate, the patterns imprinted by the second array being interspersed between the patterns imprinted by the first array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANS B.V.
    Inventors: Yvonne Wendela KRUIJT-STEGEMAN, Raymond Jacobus Knaapen, Johan Frederik Dijksman, Krassimir Todorov Krastev, Sander Frederik Wuister, Aleksey Yurievich Kolesnychenko, Karal Diederick Van Der Mast, Klaus Simon
  • Publication number: 20090206522
    Abstract: A device and a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object (3) by solidifying layers (25) of a material in powder form at those positions corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object (3) are provided. The device comprises an application device (40) for applying layers of the material in powder form (47) in the building area (5), which can be moved over the building area (5). The application device (40) is formed to have a first longitudinal wall (41a) and a second longitudinal wall (41b) that are connected to one another via two side walls. The application device (40) is provided with a fluidization device for homogenizing the material in powder form (47). This fluidization device comprises at least one hollow body having escape openings in its walls, through which escape opening a gas can flow from the hollow body into the material in powder form (47).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Peter Hein, Frank Mueller
  • Patent number: 7572122
    Abstract: A process for preweakening the inside of an automotive trim piece cover layer of various constructions by use of a laser beam so as to enable formation of an air bag deployment opening in the trim piece formed at the time the air bag deploys. The laser beam impinges the inside surface of the cover to form a groove scoring or spaced perforations to form a preweakening pattern. A robot arm may be used to move a laser generator so as to form the preweakening pattern. The laser beam can be controlled in accordance with sensed conditions to achieve accurate preweakening, and may also be used to trim substrate panels and to perform other cutting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventors: John W. Bauer, Jr., legal representative, David J. Bauer
  • Patent number: 7572403
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming freeform solid articles includes a head unit having a plurality of arc-shaped support arms. The support arms mount material feeders and power sources which are directed at a work table. The material feeders, power sources and movement of the head unit and work table are controlled by a computerized control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventors: Peihua Gu, Valerio Giuliani
  • Publication number: 20090196946
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus that is configured to fabricate a three-dimensional model by forming a cured layer by irradiating an interface of a photocurable resin with light corresponding to sectional data of the three-dimensional model and stacking the cured layers includes a container holding the photocurable resin and having a constraining window configured to constrain the interface of the photocurable resin; a vertical movement table movable in a vertical direction orthogonal to the interface of the photocurable resin; an optical system configured to form the cured layer between the vertical movement table and the constraining window by irradiating the interface of the photocurable resin with light through the constraining window; and a position constraining mechanism configured to substantially flatten the constraining window by applying a force to the constraining window from the outside of the container when the cured layer is formed by the optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kihara, Junichi Kuzusako, Katsuhisa Honda
  • Patent number: 7568904
    Abstract: A supply part for supplying resin, a smoothing part for smoothing the resin, and an objective lens for exposing the smoothed resin to light are provided in separate positions within substantially the same horizontal plane, and a modeling part is movable by a horizontal drive mechanism under the three above-mentioned components. For processing in the three above-mentioned components, the modeling part is moved to positions immediately under the three above-mentioned components in order by the horizontal drive mechanism. Thus, the modeling part is brought as close to the three above-mentioned components as possible for processing. The exposure is performed, with the objective lens fixed to a base body. Exposure light is focused onto a resin layer on a modeling base, and the light reflected from the resin layer is received by the objective lens, directed by a beam splitter toward an image surface optical system and received as an image by a CCD camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Laser Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Koyagi, Hiroko Shimozuma, Hiroshi Yaze, Ichiro Miyaki
  • Publication number: 20090184444
    Abstract: An optical molding apparatus molds a three-dimensional model by stacking cured layers. Each cured layer is formed by emitting light according to cross-sectional-shape data of the three-dimensional model onto a surface of photo-curable resin. The optical molding apparatus includes a container that contains the photo-curable resin, a movable stage that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the photo-curable resin, an optical system that emits the light onto the surface of the photo-curable resin contained in the container so as to form each cured layer on the movable stage, and a discharging mechanism that performs a discharging operation for discharging new photo-curable resin onto a surface of each cured layer formed on the movable stage before stacking a subsequent cured layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Honda, Nobuhiro Kihara, Junichi Kuzusako
  • Publication number: 20090184446
    Abstract: In a polymer film stretching system, a tentering machine draws polymer film of cellulose acylate containing additive of triphenyl phosphate in a transverse direction while the polymer film is guided continuously and heated. A stretching chamber contains the tentering machine. A far infrared heater and heat roller heat the polymer film before entry to the stretching chamber to set temperature of the polymer film upon entry to the stretching chamber in a range equal to or higher than T+10 (deg. C.) and equal to or lower than T+80 (deg. C.), where T (deg. C.) is a condensation temperature of the additive evaporated in the stretching chamber. Furthermore, a film dispenser supplies the polymer film from a film roll to the tentering machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki KAWATA, Yasunori Iwasa, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Shinsuke Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20090181221
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical data carrier, wherein an essentially uncured resin layer is provided on a side of said optical data carrier. The essentially uncured resin layer is embossed with a relief pattern, wherein the relief pattern defines a graphic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: SONY DADC Austria AG
    Inventor: Christian Vogl
  • Publication number: 20090179357
    Abstract: There are provided a method for producing porous silica and a porous silica film having low specific dielectric constant and high mechanical strength, that are preferably applicable to optical functional materials, electronic functional materials or the like, and a method for producing an interlayer insulating film, a semiconductor material and a semiconductor apparatus and a producing apparatus, which use the porous silica film. A solution containing a hydrolysis-condensation product of alkoxysilanes and a surfactant is dried to form a composite to which are then applied in the following order an ultraviolet ray irradiation treatment and a hydrophobic treatment with the use of an organic silicon compound having an alkyl group. By forming the composite by drying the solution on a substrate, the porous silica film is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Masami Murakami, Shunsuke Oike, Yoshito Kurano, Makoto Aritsuka, Hiroko Wachi
  • Publication number: 20090174097
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a micro-retarder and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The system for manufacturing a micro-retarder includes a carrying device, a heating device and a movement control device. The carrying device is used for carrying a polymolecule film. The polymolecule film is selected from a polymolecule film having an arrangement direction. The heating device is used for providing a heating source. The energy formed in the central area of the heating source is smaller than that in the peripheral area of the heating source. The movement control device is used for controlling the heating source and the polymolecule film to relatively move along a first direction, so that the adjusted heating source heats at least one partial area of the polymolecule film along the first direction and resumes the partial area of the polymolecule film to be non-directional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chao-Hsu TSAI, Kuo-Chung HUANG, Chun-Fu LU
  • Publication number: 20090174120
    Abstract: [Object] To provide an injection molding apparatus with a plasma generator, using no high-frequency power. [Solving means] Injection molding is performed as shown in 1.A, and a molded article P is cooled to solidify. Then, as shown in 1.B, a second mold 200 is moved by 1 to several millimeters using a jack 120, to thereby form a space S. In this case, a gas inlet port 132 and an exhaust outlet 142 are opened with respect to the space S by the movement of the second mold 200, so that a gas inlet pipe 131, the space S, and an exhaust pipe 141 communicate with one another. These gas inlet pipe 131, space S, and exhaust pipe 141 are kept airtight by an O-ring 201 of the second mold 200. Next, from the airtight space S, air is exhausted using an exhaust device 140, and then a gas for plasma processing is supplied from the gas supply portion 130 into the space S.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Hideo Sugai
  • Publication number: 20090176060
    Abstract: A process for producing a 3-dimensional mold, including irradiating a resist layer of a processing object having the resist layer made of an organopolysiloxane on a substrate with an electron beam, and developing, by thermal desorption treatment, the resist layer after the irradiation with an electron beam to form protrusions and depressions in the resist layer; a process for producing a microfabrication product by using the 3-dimensional mold; a process for producing a micropattern molding by using the 3-dimensional mold or the microfabrication product; and a 3-dimensional mold, a microfabrication product and a micropattern molding which are finely formed by these production processes, as well as an optical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION ADMINISTRATIVE ORG.
    Inventor: Jun Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20090175977
    Abstract: An optical molding apparatus molds an optically molded product by stacking cured layers. Each cured layer is formed by emitting light according to cross-sectional-shape data of the optically molded product onto a surface of photo-curable resin. The optical molding apparatus includes an exposing unit and an exposure control unit. The exposing unit performs exposure on the photo-curable resin for each of small work areas that are defined by dividing an overall work area, which is where an optical molding operation is performed, into a plurality of areas. The exposure control unit controls an exposure condition of the exposing unit for each of the small work areas and allows the exposure to be performed collectively on multiple layers' worth of the photo-curable resin in a predetermined one of the small work areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Kuzusako, Nobuhiro Kihara, Katsuhisa Honda
  • Publication number: 20090174098
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens (101, 102, 103, 104) comprising: a) providing a sample (100) with a layer (120) of a photoactive material which can be selectively activated to vary its index of refraction; b) exposing the layer of the photoactive material to activation radiation (44) and “in situ” providing the sample with a measuring radiation (76) and measuring the resulting refractive index local value of the sample, wherein the activation radiation (44) wave length differs of the measuring radiation (76) and wherein the activation radiation or the measuring radiation is reflected on the sample by a beam splitter (60) and the measuring radiation or the activation radiation respectively is transmitted through the same beam splitter (60) on the sample; c) repeating step b) if necessary and up to a desired activation level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'optique)
    Inventors: Pierre Rouault de Coligny, Thierry Bonnin
  • Publication number: 20090176034
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surface-treatment technique in association with ablation, a surface-treatment apparatus and a turbine scanner. The invention also relates to a method of producing a coating, a radiation transmission line, a copying unit and a printing unit. The invention further relates to an arrangement for adjusting the radiation power of a radiation source in a radiation transmission line and a laser apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Picodeon Ltd. Oy
    Inventors: Jari Ruuttu, Reijo Lappalainen, Vesa Myllymaki, Lasse Pulli, Juha Makitalo
  • Patent number: 7556490
    Abstract: Methods and systems of stereolithography for building cost-efficient and time-saving multi-material, multi-functional and multi-colored prototypes, models and devices configured for intermediate washing and curing/drying is disclosed including: laser(s), liquid and/or platform level sensing system(s), controllable optical system(s), moveable platform(s), elevator platform(s), recoating system(s) and at least one polymer retaining receptacle. Multiple polymer retaining receptacles may be arranged in a moveable apparatus, wherein each receptacle is adapted to actively/passively maintain a uniform, desired level of polymer by including a recoating device and a material fill/remove system. The platform is movably accessible to the polymer retaining receptacle(s), elevator mechanism(s) and washing and curing/drying area(s) which may be housed in a shielded enclosure(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Board of Regents, the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ryan Wicker, Francisco Medina, Christopher Elkins
  • Publication number: 20090169661
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes, in an embodiment, an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; and a flexible transportation line extending between a first and second part of the apparatus, the second part moveable with respect to the first part, wherein the line is pre-formed in a three-dimensional curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Marcus Martinus Petrus Adrianus VERMEULEN, Henrikus Herman Marie Cox, Godfried Katharina Hubertus Franciscus Geelen, Jerome Francois Sylvain Virgile Van Loo