Pattern Control Of Travel For A Forming Means (e.g., Depositing, Etc.) Patents (Class 425/375)
  • Patent number: 11639029
    Abstract: In one example, a system for loading build material into a portable build unit having a platform on which objects are printed and a build material supply container next to the platform. The system includes a build material dispenser, a conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser, and a controller operatively connected to the dispenser and the conveyor. The controller is programmed to, with the build unit and the dispenser in a fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material into the supply container, cause the conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, and, while the conveyor moves the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material on to the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jorge Diosdado Borrego, David Chanclon Fernandez, Pablo Antonio Murciego Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11634208
    Abstract: A rigid-flexible coupled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) morphing wing and an additive manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. A shape memory alloy (SMA) strip/wire for controlling the wing upward deformation and an SMA strip/wire for controlling the wing downward deformation are arranged alternately, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs are arranged at intervals on the SMA strips/wires for controlling the wing upward deformation and the SMA strips/wires for controlling the wing downward deformation. The SMA strips/wires for controlling the wing upward deformation and the SMA strips/wires for controlling the wing downward deformation are arranged on a flexible substrate, and are wrapped with an insulating covering. The SMA strips/wires for controlling the wing upward deformation and the SMA strips/wires for controlling the wing downward deformation each are provided with an electric heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Jilin University
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, Zhenglei Yu, Xiaolong Zhang, Wei Yan, Yanlong Shao, Yunhong Liang, Qingping Liu, Qingquan Zhang, Yuting Liu
  • Patent number: 11633915
    Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a housing, a movable base, a tab portion and a coupling mechanism. The housing is comprised of a microwave transparent material. The movable base is coupled to the housing to receive build material that is digitally printed. The tab portion is coupled to a bottom portion of at least one wall of the housing. The tab portion stops the movable base. The coupling mechanism is coupled to the housing to removably attach the apparatus to a three dimensional printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: James Elmer Abbott, Jr., David A. Champion, Chris Paul Schodin
  • Patent number: 11628626
    Abstract: Example systems relate to recoater movement. A non-transitory machine readable medium may contain instructions executable by a processor. The instructions may include instructions to change an action of a recoater in response to a determination that the recoater has reached a first location of a build area comprising build material. Instructions may further include instructions to lift the recoater in response to a determination that the recoater has reached a second location of the build area. Instructions may additionally include instructions to move the recoater over the second location at the lifted position, wherein the second location includes a build-up of the build material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Brent Ewald, Michael Ewe, Eric Collins, Wesley R. Schalk
  • Patent number: 11618214
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods of constructing a structure and related non-transitory computer readable medium. In an embodiment, the method includes (a) defining a vertical first slice and a second vertical slice of the structure. A lateral cross-section of the structure within the first vertical slice is different than the lateral cross-section of the structure for the second vertical slice. In addition, the method includes (b) depositing a plurality of first vertically stacked layers of an extrudable building material with a printing assembly to form the first vertical slice. Further, the method includes depositing a plurality of second vertically stacked layers of the extrudable building material atop the first vertical slice with the printing assembly to form the second vertical slice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: ICON Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Ford, Alex Le Roux
  • Patent number: 11618217
    Abstract: According to examples, a build module may include a housing, a build material chamber, and a build chamber. The build material chamber may be positioned beneath the build chamber in the housing and may include a moveable support member, in which a build material distributor is to supply successive layers of build material onto the moveable support member from the build material chamber. The build module may be removably insertable into a build receiver of an additive manufacturing system to allow the additive manufacturing system to solidify a portion of the successive layers received onto the moveable support member during the solidification process of the build material. The moveable support member may separate the build material chamber from the build chamber to block build material from the above the build material chamber from being received into the build material chamber during a solidification process of the build material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Fernando Juan, Alejandro Manuel De Pena, Esteve Comas, Edward Dale Davis
  • Patent number: 11607730
    Abstract: A method for forming a multi-material part by selective laser melting includes the following steps. Modeling is performed by regularly distributing and arraying a combination of materials that meets forming requirements such that a part model is designed. The designed part model is subjected to a dimension compensation, a shape compensation, a chamfering setting, a margin design and a design of a process support to obtain a process model. The obtained process model is sliced into a series of layers. Type, distribution and boundary information of materials in each layer are collected to generate a control file. All materials required for part forming are loaded into an additive manufacturing equipment. After a state of the additive manufacturing equipment meets forming requirements, a part is formed under the control of the generated control file. Post-processing is performed after the part is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Xi'an Space Engine Company Limited
    Inventors: Hulin Li, Huanqing Yang, Jing Bai, Lin Wang, Dongjian Peng, Yun Wang
  • Patent number: 11590575
    Abstract: A system and method for additive manufacturing are provided. The system includes a structure defining a chamber for manufacturing parts via additive manufacturing. A powder metal applicator is configured to deposit layers of powder metal material to build a part on a build platform. A laser source is configured to direct one or more laser beams onto each layer of powder metal material to fuse the powder metal material, wherein metal condensate is created by the laser beam(s) contacting the powder metal material. An element spaced apart from the layers of powder material has a temperature different than the chamber temperature, so that the element is configured to attract or repel the metal condensate by virtue of the temperature differential between the element and the chamber. The method includes using the element having the different temperature to attract or repel the metal condensate within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Smith, Tyson W. Brown, HyungMin Chae, Md Ashabul Anam, Whitney A. Poling, Richard J. Skurkis
  • Patent number: 11584066
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for producing objects with cryogenic 3D printing with controllable micro and macrostructure with potential applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and the food industry. The technology can produce complex structures with controlled morphology when the printed 3D object is immersed in a liquid coolant, whose upper surface is maintained at the same level as the highest deposited layer of the object. This ensures that the computer-controlled process of freezing is controlled precisely and already printed frozen layers remain at a constant temperature. The technology controls the temperature, flow rate and volume of the printed fluid emitted by the dispenser that has X-Y positional translation and conditions at the interface between the dispenser and coolant surface. The technology can also control the temperature of the pool of liquid coolant and the vertical position of the printing surface and pool of coolant liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Boris Rubinsky, Michal Adamkievicz, Ze'ev Shaked
  • Patent number: 11584076
    Abstract: According to examples, a build module may include a housing, a build material chamber, and a build chamber. The build material chamber may be positioned beneath the build chamber in the housing and may include a moveable support member, in which a build material distributor is to supply successive layers of build material onto the moveable support member from the build material chamber. The build module may be removably insertable into a build receiver of an additive manufacturing system to allow the additive manufacturing system to solidify a portion of the successive layers received onto the moveable support member during the solidification process of the build material. The moveable support member may separate the build material chamber from the build chamber to block build material from the above the build material chamber from being received into the build material chamber during a solidification process of the build material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Fernando Juan, Alejandro Manuel De Pena, Esteve Comas, Edward Dale Davis
  • Patent number: 11584068
    Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating a component by consolidating a first portion of a particulate include a louvered particulate containment wall positioned around the component and a second portion of the particulate. At least one louver is coupled to the particulate containment wall adjacent at least one opening in the particulate containment wall. The particulate containment wall is positionable between a first position in which the louver prevents the second portion of the particulate from flowing through the passage and a second position in which the second portion of the particulate is able to flow through the passage. The methods include switching the particulate containment wall from the first position to the second position and allowing the second portion of the particulate to flow out of the interior space through the at least one opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Joseph Madelone, Jr., Adam G. Susong, Timothy Joseph Wilhelm, Andrew J. Martin, Donald Dana Lowe
  • Patent number: 11584057
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is provided. The additive manufacturing system includes a build platform and at least one workstation. The build platform defines a continuous workflow path and is configured to rotate about a build platform axis. The workstation is spaced apart from the build platform along the third direction and at least one of the build platform and the workstation is configured to move along the third direction. The workstation includes at least one particle delivery device, at least one recoating device, and at least one consolidation device. The particle delivery device is configured to deposit particles on the build platform. The recoating device is configured to distribute the deposited particles to form a build layer on the build platform. The consolidation device is configured to consolidate at least a portion of the build layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Tucker, Younkoo Jeong, William Thomas Carter
  • Patent number: 11577319
    Abstract: There is disclosed an ink composition for three dimensional (3D) printing. The ink composition comprises: a liquid dispersion of tungsten carbide (WC) particles and cobalt (Co) particles, and, a carrier vehicle for the dispersion of tungsten carbide particles and the dispersion of cobalt particles. The ink composition is of a viscosity usable with ink jet print heads for 3D printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: XIET LTD.
    Inventors: Axel Benichou, Liat Laufer
  • Patent number: 11565461
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional shaped object without height limitation by means of layer-by-layer material application, wherein geometric data for the shaped object, a substrate part having a base surface for holding the shaped object, flowable first and second material, and a transfer body are provided. Material portions of the flowable first material are applied to the base surface and/or to a solidified material layer of the three-dimensional shaped object located on the base surface in accordance with the geometric data in order to produce a material layer of the three-dimensional shaped object. The material layer consisting of the first material is solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: dp polar GmbH, ALTANA AG
    Inventors: Hans Mathea, Martin Bohn
  • Patent number: 11554538
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a material container having a hollow interior configured to receive a material and an extruder connected below the material container to receive the material from the material container. The additive manufacturing apparatus includes a material removal device including an actuator configured to activate the material removal device to dislodge retained material from within the hollow interior of the material container and a drain passage configured to receive the dislodged material and guide the material to an exterior of the additive manufacturing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Patent number: 11548223
    Abstract: A tooling system, such as an additive manufacturing system, includes a tool displacement mechanism mounted on a fixed structure and carrying a system tool such as a printhead. The tool displacement mechanism displaces the system tool along a curvilinear closed path about a system axis and located within a working plane intersecting the system axis. A bed, connecting to the fixed structure, is substantially positioned within the working plane, locally adjacent the closed path and along at least a portion of the closed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TOREM LABS
    Inventor: Adel Alouani
  • Patent number: 11535942
    Abstract: When forming valve seat coats at opening portions (16a1 to 16a8) of intake ports (16) provided at a cylinder block mounting surface (12a) of a semimanufactured cylinder head (3), the nozzle of a cold spray apparatus moves along a nozzle movement path for air intake (Inp1) that is set between any two of the plurality of opening portions (16a1 to 16a8), while continuing to spray a raw material powder. When forming valve seat coats at opening portions (17a1 to 17a8) of exhaust ports (17), the nozzle moves along a nozzle movement path for air exhaust (Enp1) that is set between any two of the plurality of opening portions (17a1 to 17a8), while continuing to spray the raw material powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirohisa Shibayama, Hidenobu Matsuyama, Eiji Shiotani, Yoshitsugu Noshi, Koukichi Kamada, Naoki Okamoto, Masahito Fujikawa, Junichi Hamasaki, Masatoshi Inoguchi
  • Patent number: 11524338
    Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling device includes a table supporting a powder material and a model created from the powder material, a processing section disposed so as to face the table and obtaining the model by processing the powder material, and a rotation unit causing the table to rotate relative to the processing section around a rotary axis. The processing section has a plurality of processing units disposed around the rotary axis. The processing units supply the powder material to the table, preheat the supplied powder material, and emit an energy beam to the preheated powder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miki Shinagawa, Yuichiro Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11506574
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention intend to provide a method and an apparatus for diagnosing health state of a 3D printer which collects collection data in a 3D printing process by using sensors attached to the 3D printer (for example, an acceleration sensor and an acoustic emission sensor), extracts feature elements of the sensor data, applies machine learning to an equipment health state diagnosis model based on the extracted feature elements, and thereby enables diagnosing equipment health state of 3D printer components in an objective and consistent manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Sang Won Lee, Jung Sub Kim, Chang Su Lee
  • Patent number: 11498158
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method wherein an object is manufactured by powder being applied layer-by-layer by an application device onto a base along a buildup surface and being bonded in regions to form a matrix. To provide an efficient additive powder bed method, a position of the base is checked by at least one measurement with a sensor device and the position of the base is automatically corrected at least in relation to the application device based on the at least one measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael Koch, Lars Bognar
  • Patent number: 11485076
    Abstract: A modelling head for a three-dimensional printing machine, comprising a base body having a work surface suitable for enabling the formation and adhesion of an object, a support device connected to said base body and a movement member for moving said base body, wherein the support device is adjustable so as to change the orientation of the base body and in particular of the work surface relative to the movement member and is configured to switch, in an automated manner, from an unlocked configuration, in which it allows a change in the orientation of the base body relative to the movement member, and a locked configuration in which it locks the configuration assumed by the base body relative to the movement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SISMA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianni Zitelli, Federico Iacovella
  • Patent number: 11478979
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for fabricating a magnetic material with variable magnetic alignment are disclosed. For example, the apparatus includes a reservoir storing magnetic particles, a heater coupled to the reservoir to melt the magnetic particles, a nozzle coupled to the reservoir to receive the magnetic particles that are melted, wherein the nozzle includes a rotatable collar that includes at least one magnet, a platform below the nozzle to receive the magnetic particles that are melted that are dispensed by the nozzle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the heater, the nozzle, and the platform to control operation of the heater, the nozzle, the rotatable collar of the nozzle, and the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Blair, David C. Irving, Jay L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11472117
    Abstract: A method for producing an object from a filamentary building material in an additive fused deposition modelling process, comprising the steps of: providing the building material; transporting the building material into a printhead at a feed rate for the building material, wherein the building material is transported between a driven drive wheel and a second wheel; melting the building material by means of a heating device in the printhead; discharging the molten building material to a discharge location, corresponding to a selected cross section of the object to be produced, at a discharge rate through an orifice of the printhead, with relative movement of the printhead in relation to the discharge location at a predetermined speed to movement along a predetermined path, wherein the path has at each location a curvature that can assume a positive value, zero or a negative value; wherein a control unit controls at least the drive of the drive wheel, the heating device in the printhead and the movement of the p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Dirk Achten, Thomas Buesgen, Levent Akbas, Roland Wagner, Nicolas Degiorgio, Jonas Kuenzel
  • Patent number: 11465342
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer and method including a material cartridge receiver to hold a removable material cartridge to accept build material from the 3D printer and to make build material available from the material cartridge to the 3D printer for printing of the 3D object. A liquid cartridge receiver holds a removable liquid cartridge to make available print liquid from the liquid cartridge for a print assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wesley R. Schalk, Kris M. English, Justin M. Roman
  • Patent number: 11465362
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method includes providing a polymeric material and changing a cooling rate of the polymeric material by adding a second material to the polymeric material. The additive manufacturing method also includes providing the polymeric material and the added second material to an additive manufacturing apparatus and depositing the polymeric material, having the changed cooling rate, with the additive manufacturing apparatus at a deposition rate that is based at least in part on the changed cooling rate of the polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: THERMWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Susnjara
  • Patent number: 11446869
    Abstract: A recoater for applying a layer of build material capable of solidification on a working surface, wherein the recoater comprises a discharge port and a flattening member, wherein the discharge port is configured to discharge build material to form a heap of build material ahead of the flattening member, wherein the flattening member is configured to spread material from the heap of build material along the working surface in order to form the layer of build material on top of the working surface through a gap formed between a lower surface of the flattening member and the working surface by relative movement of the flattening member and the working surface, wherein the recoater further includes a shutter distanced from the discharge port, wherein the shutter is configured to be movable between a closed position in which build material is not dispensed onto the working surface, and an opened position in which build material is dispensed onto the working surface, wherein the shutter is configured to close an ad
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Jeichienus Johannes Van Der Werff, Edwin Adrianus Cornelius Van Den Eijnden, Hendrik Abraham Buining
  • Patent number: 11446886
    Abstract: Plastic profiles are produced by a pultrusion method. For this, a mold is moved periodically relative to the stationary plastic profile and said profile is held by a holding means and transported away. In particular, the starting and the stopping of the method are problematical, since a tensile stress must be applied, by which both “slack” fibers and “rigid” profiles can be drawn through the mold. The invention creates a method and a device for simple and reliable manufacture of plastic profiles. For this, it is provided that at least one cross section of a receiving space of the at least one holding means is changed along a longitudinal axis of the holding means in order to grasp a reinforcement and/or the plastic profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Thomas GmbH + Co. Technik + Innovation KG
    Inventor: Klaus Jansen
  • Patent number: 11426939
    Abstract: Provided are devices and methods relating to three dimensional printing. One embodiment relates to a three dimensional printer comprising a printer base including a rail portion, and a moveable print surface including a plurality of track members coupled to form a loop and configured to move along the rail portion of the printer base. The printer also includes a print head and a print head positioning system configured to move the print head in multiple directions over the print surface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Philip N. Sacchitella, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11422532
    Abstract: A method for facilitating part fabrication, such as by automated toolpath generation, can include one or more of: receiving a virtual part; modifying the virtual part; and/or determining toolpaths to fabricate the target part. The toolpaths preferably define an ordered series of additive and subtractive toolpaths, more preferably wherein the additive and subtractive toolpaths are interleaved, which can function to achieve high manufacturing efficiency and/or performance. The method can additionally or alternatively include: generating machine instructions based on the toolpaths; fabricating the target part based on the machine instructions; calibrating the fabrication system; and/or any other suitable elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Mantle Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. Connor, Alex S. Goldenberg, Jonathan Hsu, Benjamin D. Voiles, Theodore Charles Sorom
  • Patent number: 11420383
    Abstract: A system for additively manufacturing components includes a build chamber and a build plate on which a component and a containment wall surrounding the component are additively formed. The containment wall surrounds the component such that powder is present between the component and the containment wall, with the containment wall including first and second portions joined together at a separation line. Additionally, the build plate is positioned within the build chamber. Furthermore, a tooling assembly configured to split the containment wall at the separation line and pull the first portion of the containment wall away from the second portion of the containment wall while the build plate is present within the build chamber such that a portion of the powder is exposed. Moreover, a vacuum configured to remove the exposed portion of the powder from the build chamber while the build plate is present within the build chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Martin, Timothy Joseph Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 11424144
    Abstract: The invention belongs to a related field of electronic manufacturing technology, and particularly relates to a conformal manufacturing device and a method for a complex curved-surface electronic system, the system includes a support platform and a six-degree-of-freedom spherical motor linkage platform, a 3D measurement module, a laser lift-off module, a curved-surface transfer printing module and a conformal jet printing module respectively mounted on the support platform and independently controllable, and specific structures and work modes of these key components are improved. The invention further discloses a corresponding manufacturing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yongan Huang, Zhouping Yin, Hao Wu, Jiankui Chen, Wenlong Li, Kun Bai
  • Patent number: 11420385
    Abstract: The disclosure is of and includes at least an apparatus, system and method for a print head for additive manufacturing. The apparatus, system and method may include at least two proximate hobs suitable to receive and extrude therebetween a print material filament for the additive manufacturing, each of the two hobs comprising two halves, wherein each of the hob halves comprises teeth that are offset with respect to the teeth of the opposing hob half; a motor capable of imparting a rotation to at least one of the two hobs, wherein the extrusion results from the rotation; and an interface to a hot end capable of outputting the print material filament after at least partial liquification to perform the additive manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: JABIL INC.
    Inventors: William MacNeish, Erik Gjovik
  • Patent number: 11413790
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automated manufacturing of three-dimensional (3D) composite-based objects is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a material feeder, a printer, a powder system, a transfer system, and optionally a fuser. The method comprises inserting a stack of substrate sheets into a material feeder, transferring a sheet of the stack from the material feeder to a printer, depositing fluid on the single sheet while the sheet rests on a printer platen, transferring the sheet from the printer to a powder system, depositing powder onto the single sheet such that the powder adheres to the areas of the sheet onto which the printer has deposited fluid, removing any powder that did not adhere to the sheet, optionally melting the powder on the substrate, and repeating the steps for as many additional sheets as required for making a specified 3D object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Swartz, Eugene Gore, Buckley Crist, John Bayldon, Chris Wagner, Nicholas Tarzian, Evangeline Su
  • Patent number: 11400536
    Abstract: In a metal laminating and modeling method, a three-dimensional modeled object 10 having a main surface 12 and an outer circumferential surface 13 is modeled by sequentially laminating a plurality of metal layers 11m. The metal laminating and modeling method has a metal layer formation step of forming the metal layers 11m by forming a plurality of weld beads 100 so as to be arranged in a horizontal direction on a table 2, and a first end portion weld bead formation step of inclining the table 2 such that a target surface 2f faces in a first inclination direction and forming first end portion weld beads 100a so as to overlap, among a plurality of center weld beads 100c, the center weld beads 100c located at an uppermost end in a vertical direction Dv.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasunori Sakai
  • Patent number: 11396135
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine (910) includes a build unit (920) comprising a powder dispenser (906) including a hopper (1004) for receiving a volume of additive powder (1006). A powder supply system (1000) includes a powder supply source (1010) for providing additive powder (1006) into the hopper (1004) during a refill process. A powder reclamation system (1002) includes a vacuum pump (1030) coupled to a vacuum duct (1034, 1036) defining a suction inlet (1040) positioned for collecting misdirected additive powder (1006) dispensed during the refill process. A return duct (1038) includes a filter mechanism (1050) may filter and return the collected additive powder (1006) back to the powder supply source (1010) for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Justin Mamrak, MacKenzie Ryan Redding, Jordan Maxine Shoemaker, Michael Thomas Gansler
  • Patent number: 11383432
    Abstract: In an example implementation, a method of printing a multi-structured three-dimensional (3D) object includes forming a layer of sinterable material. The method includes processing a first portion of the sinterable material using a first set of processing parameters and processing a second portion of the sinterable material using a second set of processing parameters. The processed first and second portions form, respectively, parts of a first and second structure of a multi-structured 3D object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Lihua Zhao, Yan Zhao, Hou T. Ng
  • Patent number: 11376788
    Abstract: An apparatus for additively manufacturing an article comprises a heat block, a nozzle configured to receive a feed material in operable communication with the heat block, and a radiator configured to transfer heat from the heat block to an external environment by thermal radiation. Related tools for additively manufacturing a material in a vacuum, and related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Cote, Michael D. Roberts, Randy L. Spicer, William A. Wautlet
  • Patent number: 11370170
    Abstract: A gas concentration meter includes a first gas concentration detection sensor capable of detecting at least a gas concentration in a first concentration range, a second gas concentration detection sensor capable of detecting at least a gas concentration in a second concentration range, and a control unit. An upper limit value of the second concentration range is lower than an upper limit value of the first concentration range, and a lower limit value of the second concentration range is lower than a lower limit value of the first concentration range. The control unit is configured to output either the lower limit value of the first concentration range or the upper limit value of the second concentration range as an indication value when an output signal of the first gas concentration detection sensor corresponds to a gas concentration lower than the lower limit value of the first concentration range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Sodick Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsutaka Muranaka
  • Patent number: 11292183
    Abstract: In a manufacturing method of a three-dimensional formed object, the method includes a first discharging in which a forming material is continuously discharged from a nozzle while causing a position of the nozzle to change with respect to the forming table in a first direction which is perpendicular to a top surface of the forming table to cause the forming material to be deposited in the first direction, a second discharging in which the forming material is continuously discharged from the nozzle while changing the position of the nozzle with respect to the forming table in a second direction which is parallel to the top surface of the forming table to dispose the forming material along the second direction, and repeating in which the first discharging and the second discharging are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventors: Shunsuke Mizukami, Kazuhide Nakamura, Koichi Saito, Kohei Yuwaki
  • Patent number: 11273495
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing with improved powder distribution capabilities. Specifically, the methods and apparatuses of the present disclosure incorporate powder distribution vanes to improve the lateral deposition of powder from a hopper. Such methods and apparatuses have the potential to reduce powder overhead costs, mitigate associated health and environmental risks, and increase manufacturing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas Christian Jones, Jonathan Ortner, John Moores, Patrick Kenney
  • Patent number: 11248071
    Abstract: The invention relates to fluoropolymer filament for use in 3-D printing, and 3-D printed fluoropolymer articles having low warpage, excellent chemical resistance, excellent water resistance, flame resistance, and good mechanical integrity. Additionally, the articles of the invention have good shelf life without the need for special packaging. In particular, the invention relates to filament, 3-D printed polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) articles, and in particular material extrusion 3-D printing. The articles may be formed from PVDF homopolymers, copolymers, such as KYNAR® resins from Arkema, as well as polymer blends with appropriately defined low shear melt viscosity. The PVDF may optionally be a filled PVDF formulation. The physical properties of the 3-D printed articles can be maximized and warpage minimized by optimizing processing parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Arkema Inc.
    Inventors: David Shin-Ren Liu, Gregory S. O'Brien, David A. Seiler, Mark Aubart, James J. Henry, Thomas Roland
  • Patent number: 11235530
    Abstract: Three-dimensional object bridge between virtual and physical worlds. A method, system, apparatus and/or computer-usable medium includes steps of selecting a three-dimensional item in a first state for subsequent rendering into a second state and rendering the three-dimensional item in the second state via the three-dimensional rendering apparatus. An additional step of locating a three-dimensional rendering apparatus for rendering the three-dimensional item in a second state can be included. The three-dimensional rendering apparatus can be configured as a kiosk (manned or unmanned), Internet-enabled vending machine, and the like. The first state can comprise a virtual state and the second state can comprise a physical state. Likewise, the first state can comprise a physical state and the second state can comprise a virtual state. Additionally, the three-dimensional item/object can be mapped in the first state for rendering in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Tripetals, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Kaltenbach, Luke Nihlen, Luis M. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 11220057
    Abstract: Examples Include apparatuses and methods for generating three-dimensional objects. An example apparatus comprises an agent distributor and a wiping element disposed at a service location. The apparatus further comprises at least one airflow component disposed proximate the service location to generate airflow across the wiping element to reduce build material collection on the wiping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Emilio Carlos Cano, Oriol Borrell Carbonell, Salvador Sanchez Ribes
  • Patent number: 11167486
    Abstract: Technologies are described for printer systems. The systems may comprise a column with a first end in operative relationship with a hopper. The systems may comprise a nozzle at a second end of the column. The nozzle may be configured to deposit melted plastic. The systems may comprise a first heating element. The first heating element may be configured to supply heat sufficient to melt plastic to the column. The systems may comprise an auger within the column. The auger may be configured to transport melted plastic from a first section of the column to the nozzle. The systems may comprise a second heating element. The second heating element may be configured to supply heat to the column to increase a temperature of melted plastic. The systems may comprise a controller. The controller may control a position of the deposited melted plastic relative to a base to form an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: MAGZERO LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Nadata, Fernando A. Peralta
  • Patent number: 11161305
    Abstract: Plant (1) comprising at least one apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, which plant (1) comprises at least one module (4) separably connected or connectable with the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18), wherein the plant (1) comprises at least one tunnel structure (5) through which the at least one module (4) is moveable in a tunnel transport direction (6), wherein the at least one module (4) is moveable from the tunnel structure (5) into a work position (7) inside the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) along a loading direction (10) and the at least one module (4) is moveable from the work position (7) out of the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) along an unloading direction (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
    Inventor: Viktor Kremer
  • Patent number: 11148363
    Abstract: Plant (2) comprising at least one apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, which plant (2) comprises at least one module (6, 12-14) separably connected or connectable with the apparatus (1), wherein the at least one module (6, 12-14) is moveable in a loading direction (9) into the apparatus (1) and in an unloading direction (10) out of the apparatus (1), wherein the module (6, 12-14) is moved into a work position (11) along the loading direction (9) and out of the work position (11) along the unloading direction (10), wherein the loading direction (9) and the unloading direction (10) comprise at least one directional component extending in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
    Inventor: Viktor Kremer
  • Patent number: 11135830
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filament suitable to be used in a 3D printing device, wherein the filament comprises a metal and/or ceramic powder, a thermoplastic binder and additives. The invention also relates to a process for producing a shaped body comprising the step of printing a shaped green body using the filament according to the invention. Also provided is the use of a filament according to the invention in a 3D printing device and a green body producible by mixing a metal and/or ceramic powder and a thermoplastic binder. The invention also relates to the use of a binder of the invention for the production of a filament for 3D printing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Emery Oleochemicals GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Daute, Manfred Jaeckel, Juergen Waldmann
  • Patent number: 11123928
    Abstract: Plant (1) comprising at least one apparatus (2-4) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, which plant (1) comprises at least one module (5) separably connected or connectable with the apparatus (2-4), wherein the plant (1) comprises at least one tunnel structure (7) through which the at least one module (5) is moveable in a tunnel transport direction (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Viktor Kremer, Andreas Lutz, Dragan Filipovic, Roland Menassa, Danilo Veljkovic, Alexander Hofmann
  • Patent number: 11090726
    Abstract: An apparatus and device for building an article by additive manufacturing or 3-D printing. The method includes feeding a supply of particulate slurry to and through a nozzle, such as including an integrated pump, to form a plurality of beads and layers of the slurry on a deposition surface, and ultimately forming a desirable article from the layers of deposited material. The liquid phase of the slurry is desirably removed by heat, and the deposited layers can be sintered or otherwise fused as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Klett, Amelia M. Elliott, Makayla S. Edwards, Kelsey L. Hedrick, Ryan K. Duncan, Alex G. Hessler, Corson L. Cramer
  • Patent number: 11086296
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing tool configured to couple to a spindle of a CNC machine, comprises a plurality of drive wheels movable between an engaged position wherein they compress filament from a filament source against a drive disc and a disengaged position wherein they are spaced apart from the filament, and a delivery assembly including a heating element and a nozzle having an outlet opening. When the plurality of drive wheels are in the engaged position and the drive disc is rotated, the filament is drawn into the tool from the filament source and routed around the drive disc to the nozzle, where heat transferred from the heating element to the nozzle melts the filament so that the filament flows through the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Hurco Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Adair, Frederick W. Gross