Rapid Prototyping (e.g., Layer-by-layer, Material Deposition) Patents (Class 700/119)
  • Patent number: 11200355
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design and manufacture of physical structures include, in at least one aspect, a method including: obtaining a design space for a modeled object, load cases for physical simulation, and design criteria, wherein the modeled object includes specified geometry with which generatively designed geometry will connect, and wherein the load cases include at least one in-use load case for the physical structure and at least one subtractive-manufacturing load case associated with the specified geometry and with a subtractive manufacturing system; producing the generatively designed geometry in the design space for the modelled object in accordance with the load cases for physical simulation of the modelled object and the design criteria for the modeled object; and providing the modeled object with the generatively designed geometry for use in manufacturing the physical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Raymond Razzell, Luke Edwards, Nathan David Rogers, Hooman Shayani
  • Patent number: 11173548
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical source situated to produce a fiducial source beam, and an optical fiducial pattern generator situated to produce with the fiducial source beam at least one transient optical fiducial on a laser processing target that is in a field of view of a laser scanner situated to scan a laser processing beam across the laser processing target, so that a positioning of the laser processing beam on the laser processing target becomes adjustable relative to the at least one transient optical fiducial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: nLIGHT, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Small, Robert J. Martinsen
  • Patent number: 11167352
    Abstract: Method for determining an amount of build material (3) which is to be applied in a build plane (BP) of an apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of build material (3) applied in the build plane (BP) of the apparatus (1) by means of at least one energy beam (4), the method comprising the steps of: subdividing at least a part of the build plane (BP), particularly the complete build plane (BP), of the apparatus (1), in which build plane (BP) build material (3), which is to be selectively irradiated and consolidated during an additive manufacturing process of at least one three-dimensional object (2) by means of the apparatus (1), is to be applied, into a plurality of build plane elements (BPE), categorizing the build plane elements (BPE) in a first category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventor: Tobias Bokkes
  • Patent number: 11169504
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a physical simulation device of an internal element of interest (9) located inside an object. The method comprises the steps of: receiving one non-destructive measurements of an imaged region, determining a three dimensional model of the imaged region (8) and materials of the object in locations of the three dimensional model, generating first and second volumetric models (18) from the three dimensional model, computing a deformed configuration of the first volumetric model under predefined loads and constraints on the basis of assigned intrinsic material properties, assigning to elementary volumetric elements of the second volumetric model (18) materials on the basis of the deformed configuration of the first volumetric model, fabricating a simulation device of the internal element of interest according to the second volumetric model (18) with the assigned materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: BIOMODEX, S.A.S.
    Inventors: Sidarth Radjou, Mayra Guadalupe Mora Espinosa
  • Patent number: 11168295
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bioprinter that enables the in situ formation of architected planar biomaterials and tissues by translating a printer head along a deposition surface, such as skin wounds. In handheld configurations of of the instrument, cell-laden biopolymer solutions are perfused through a moving microfabricated printhead and deposited onto a stationary planar surface or a wound. The printer head may be translated via a drive mechanism. Different embodiments of the instrument are disclosed form vivo application in small animals, as well as for large animal and clinical application. A stationary embodiment of the instrument is well suited for the continuous formation and roll-to-roll processing of planar biomaterials and tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Navid Hakimi, Richard Yihsiu Cheng, Mohammad Hadi Sotoudehfar, Qing Ba, Saeid Amini-Nik, Marc G. Jeschke, Axel Guenther
  • Patent number: 11167494
    Abstract: A printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional object having an operative surface; a plurality of supply hoppers for dispensing powder, the powder being adapted to be melted by an energy beam, wherein the supply hoppers are configured to form a plurality of vertically-aligned powder beds adjacent to one another on the operative surface simultaneously; and an energy source for emitting an energy beam onto each powder bed simultaneously to melt or fuse a topmost layer of the powder bed onto an underlying powder bed layer or substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Aurora Labs Limited
    Inventors: David Budge, John Nathan Henry
  • Patent number: 11148206
    Abstract: Mold lock is remediated by performing a layer-by-layer, two-dimensional analysis to identify unconstrained removal paths for any support structure or material within each two-dimensional layer, and then ensuring that aligned draw paths are present for all adjacent layers, all as more specifically described herein. Where locking conditions are identified, a sequence of modification rules are then applied, such as by breaking support structures into multiple, independently removable pieces. By addressing mold lock as a series of interrelated two-dimensional geometric problems, and reserving three-dimensional remediation strategies for more challenging, complex mold lock conditions, substantial advantages can accrue in terms of computational speed and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Desktop Metal, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo Chin, Blake Z. Reeves
  • Patent number: 11151292
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide a method of making an object from a three-dimensional geometry file and a light polymerizable resin on a light-transmissive window by projection of light through the window in a bottom-up stereolithography process. The method may comprise: slicing the file into a series of sequential images. Temperature fluctuations in the resin may be calculated for at least some of the sequential images upon light polymerization thereof based on sequential exposure of the resin to light, the light corresponding to the series of sequential images. During producing of the object, the production may be modified based on the calculated temperature fluctuations by: (i) reducing production speed during at least a portion of the production; (ii) activating a window cooler during at least a portion of the production; or (iii) increasing production speed during at least a portion of the production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Carbon, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Laaker, Bob E. Feller, Matthew Panzer
  • Patent number: 11135776
    Abstract: A management system at least has a management server configured to manage information regarding a control device configured to execute a job for molding, by using a material, a three-dimensional object including an object corresponding to three-dimensional model data to be molded. The management system generates execution history of a job including a result of molding received from the control device and a control command used for the molding, collects the generated execution history of the job, and totalize a used amount (or usage) of a material used for molding the molded object including the object based on the collected execution history. The management system totalizes usages of the material used for a non-object for execution of the job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuki Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 11117326
    Abstract: In an example, a method includes generating a training dataset for an inference model to generate dimensional modifications to apply to object models to compensate for departures from model dimensions in objects generated using additive manufacturing based on those object models. Generating the training dataset may include acquiring, for each of a plurality of generated objects, (i) an indication of a first dimensional inaccuracy and a second dimensional inaccuracy, wherein the first and second dimensional inaccuracies are acquired in a direction of a first axis and relate to respective first and second object dimensions; and (ii) an indication of object placement within a fabrication chamber during object generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Enrique Gurdiel Gonzalez, Jordi Sanroma Garrit, Manuel Freire Garcia
  • Patent number: 11110513
    Abstract: A combined ultrasonic micro-forging device and a related additive manufacturing method for improving the microstructure and mechanical properties of additive manufactured metal part. The device comprises a transducer, a pneumatic sliding table, a pneumatic sliding table connecting frame, an amplitude transformer, a tool head and a roller, wherein the transducer is provided in a transducer housing, a socket connector and a pipeline connector are provided on the transducer housing, the amplitude transformer is connected under the transducer, the tool head is connected under the transducer, the roller is located between the tool head and workpiece, and the pneumatic sliding table is connected to the transducer housing and the amplitude transformer via the pneumatic sliding table connecting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: HARBIN ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY, HATRAN MANUFACTURE SCIENCE INSTITUTE(YANTAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fengchun Jiang, Yuanping Chen, Ding Yuan, Dacheng Hua, Chunhuan Guo
  • Patent number: 11104119
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved method for supporting an object made by means of stereo lithography or any other rapid prototype production method. The generation of the support begins by determining the region that requires support in each layer of the object and defines a number of support points in this region. In a next step, a support mesh is generated connected to the object using these support points. The present invention also discloses different techniques that reduce superfluous edges to further optimize the support mesh. Finally, a support is generated from this support mesh. The present invention may facilitate the generation of supports data by employing more automation and less user analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: MATERIALISE N.V.
    Inventors: Gerald Eggers, Kurt Renap
  • Patent number: 11103928
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to additive manufacturing systems and methods on a large-scale format. One aspect involves a build unit that can be moved around in three dimensions by a positioning system, building separate portions of a large object. The build unit has an energy directing device that directs, e.g., laser or e-beam irradiation onto a powder layer. In the case of laser irradiation, the build volume may have a gasflow device that provides laminar gas flow to a laminar flow zone above the layer of powder. This allows for efficient removal of the smoke, condensates, and other impurities produced by irradiating the powder (the “gas plume”) without excessively disturbing the powder layer. The build unit may also have a recoater that allows it to selectively deposit particular quantities of powder in specific locations over a work surface to build large, high quality, high precision objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: MacKenzie Ryan Redding, Zachary David Fieldman, Justin Mamrak
  • Patent number: 11104059
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an object includes an extrusion head having an extrusion needle for extruding thermoplastic material associated with one or more fiber strands. The apparatus may further include a turn-table, a more robotic arm for moving the extrusion head and needle, thermoplastic filament and fiber strand spools and thermoplastic filament and fiber strands. A controller is provided for directing the robotic arm, extrusion head and the turn-table. Further, a method for manufacturing an object includes generating a design for the object that substantially satisfies desired structural properties of the object and generating a sequence for extruding one or more beads of thermoplastic material to manufacture the object according to the design, in which the one or more beads of thermoplastic material are associated with one or more fiber strands. The one or more beads of thermoplastic material and the associated one or more fiber strands are then extruded according to the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Arevo, Inc.
    Inventor: Hemant Bheda
  • Patent number: 11104058
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system configured to a 3D print using a metal wire material includes a drive mechanism configured to feed the metal feedstock into an inlet tube and a liquefier. The liquefier has a chamber configured to accept the metal feedstock from the inlet tube. The metal feed stock is heated in the chamber such that a melt pool is formed in the chamber. The liquefier has an extrusion tube in fluid communication with the chamber, the extrusion tube having a length (L) and a diameter (D) wherein the ratio of length to diameter (L/D) ranges from about 4:1 to about 20:1. The system has a platen with a surface configured to accept melted material from the liquefier, wherein the platen and the liquefier move in at least three dimensions relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Zinniel, S. Scott Crump, Dominic F. Mannella
  • Patent number: 11097473
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method that includes an extruder providing a supply of working material and a nozzle connected with respect to the extruder, the nozzle directing the working material to a deposit surface. A diverter valve is positioned between the extruder and the nozzle to direct the working material to an exhaust port away from the deposit surface under certain conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip C. Chesser, Brian K. Post, Matthew R. Sallas, Alex C. Roschli, Randall F. Lind, Lonnie J. Love
  • Patent number: 11092288
    Abstract: A method for producing pressure vessels, including pressure accumulators, such as hydraulic accumulators and parts of the parts of the accumulator (24). The parts produced by a 3D printing method can include one or more or all of two housing parts and a separating element separating the interior chamber of the two hosing parts are at least partially produced by a 3D printing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: HYDAC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Kloft, Herbert Baltes
  • Patent number: 11084217
    Abstract: Techniques for illuminating an interior of an enclosure in an additive fabrication device are described. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device includes a build region into which source material may be disposed and at least one source of electromagnetic radiation configured to direct radiation onto the source material in the build region to thereby form a layer of solid material from the source material. A first heater may be included that is configured to heat at least a portion of the source material in the build region. In some embodiments, an enclosure surrounds the build region and comprises a refractive aperture. In some embodiments, at least one light source is arranged to direct light into the enclosure through the refractive aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Torrealba, Brian Chan
  • Patent number: 11079740
    Abstract: Processes are disclosed for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane of a digitized picture in which the photoluminescent lithophane provides a glow-in-the-dark quality of the digitized picture, and an authenticity chip lithophane is produced. The processes for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane of a digitized picture include a monochrome process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane that results in 3D-appearing high definition monochrome glow in the dark prints of digitized pictures and a full color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane that results in 3D-appearing high definition full color glow in the dark prints of digitized pictures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventor: Ross Leigh Miltenberg
  • Patent number: 11077617
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a computer processor may receive an item definition file containing a volumetric description of the three-dimensional item and create a compressed item definition file including a compressed volumetric description of the three-dimensional item. For example, the item definition file may include a plurality of item slices, from a bottom item slice to a top item slice, each item slice describing a two-dimensional portion of the three-dimensional item. For at least some of the item slices, the computer processor may encode data in the item definition file describing a particular item slice in terms of differences between that particular item slice and another item slice (e.g., a neighboring item slice directly below that particular item slice or an anchor item slice below that particular item slice).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin Edward Beckmann, Peter Koudal, John Madelone, John William Carbone
  • Patent number: 11072117
    Abstract: The invention relates to a platform device (4) for forming a three-dimensional article (2) in an additive manufacturing machine layer by layer by successive fusion of selected areas of powder layers (3), which selected areas correspond to successive layers of the three-dimensional article. The platform device (4) has a support member (5) with a surface (6) for receiving powder. The support member (5) is rotatable about a first rotation axis (13) extending in a direction (15) substantially perpendicular to the surface (6). The support member (5) and the first rotation axis (13) are rotatable about a second rotation axis (14) arranged substantially in parallel with and off-set to the first rotation axis (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Arcam AB
    Inventor: Calle Hellestam
  • Patent number: 11072065
    Abstract: Disclosed is a robotic apparatus for building a multidimensional object. The apparatus includes extruder unit, support structure, plurality of motor units, and modeling platform. The extruder unit receives material to build multidimensional object. The extruder unit includes plurality of nozzles, and spring steel valve. The nozzles includes changeable orifices to extrude pre-defined patterns of materials. The spring steel valve isolates cross flow contamination of materials to allow positive extrusion of materials and restricts the backflow of materials. The extruder unit moves concurrently in forward and reverse direction while extruding materials. The support structure includes sides, and rails. The sides form outer surface of support structure. The rails are integrated with sides to form multidimensional path for extruder unit. The motor units control elevation and movement of extruder unit. The modeling platform is rotatable and provides build surface to support multidimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Wipro Limited
    Inventor: Chaitanya Rajendra Zanpure
  • Patent number: 11059218
    Abstract: A method for adjusting height of a 3d printer nozzle. In an embodiment, the method uses a fully wavy line as a reference line. The method includes the following steps. Determining an initial value of a height difference between the nozzle and a bottom of a probe by using a feeler gauge. Moving the nozzle vertically to adjust the height based on the initial value, obtaining a printing height of a first line, and printing the first line. Determining whether the first line is a fully wavy line. Adjusting the height of the nozzle for N times according to a preset step value, and printing N lines with corresponding heights. Determining whether the N lines have a fully wavy line. Calculating the height difference between the nozzle and the bottom of the probe by an equation. Adjusting the height of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Shanghai Fusion Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xi Cao, Hua Feng, Jianzhe Li, Jinjing Zhang, Wangping Long, Xiaoyu Wu, Zhongwei Yu, Xinpeng Fan, Rui Yuan, Huan Liu
  • Patent number: 11052605
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device 1 for the additive manufacture of a three-dimensional object (2) by successive, layered, selective illumination and associated solidification of built material layers formed in a construction plane (11) of a built material (3) that can be solidified by means of at least one energy beam (4), comprising an illumination device (9) which comprises at least one illumination element (10) to generate an energy beam (4) directed to the construction plane (11) for the selective illumination of a built material layer that is to be solidified, wherein at least the one illumination element (10) is movably supported by means of a magnetic moving and mounting device (12) in at least one degree of freedom relative to the construction plane (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Herzog, Florian Bechmann, Fabian Zeulner
  • Patent number: 11045998
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrical power device having an insulator. The method includes, by means of additive manufacturing, applying a polymeric insulating material forming part of the device. The method also includes, in a subsequent consolidation step, subjecting the insulator to elevated temperature and pressure during a predetermined time period to consolidate the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Harald Martini, Joachim Schiessling, Nils Lavesson, Cecilia Forssen, Håkan Faleke, Julia Viertel, Lukasz Matysiak, Jan Czyzewski, Roger Hedlund, Jens Rocks
  • Patent number: 11034131
    Abstract: A three-dimensionally patterned energy absorptive material and fabrication method having multiple layers of patterned filaments extrusion-formed from a curable pre-cursor material and stacked and cured in a three-dimensionally patterned architecture so that the energy absorptive material produced thereby has an engineered bulk property associated with the three-dimensionally patterned architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Eric B. Duoss, James M. Frank, Joshua Kuntz, Robert S. Maxwell, Thomas R. Metz, Christopher Spadaccini, Thomas S. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10990919
    Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous lineside delivery to an assembly-line using a self-driving vehicle are disclosed, comprising receiving a part-supply schedule having a part identifier identifying a part to be supplied, an assembly-line location to be supplied with the part, and a delivery time for supplying the part to the assembly-line location. A mission is generated based on the schedule, and sent to a self-driving vehicle. The self-driving vehicle executes the mission such that the part is supplied to the assembly-line location in accordance with the part-supply schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: CLEARPATH ROBOTICS INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Christopher Gariepy, Simon Drexler, Roydyn Clayton, Sam Adrian Jenkins, Pavel Bovbel, Yvan Geoffrey Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 10981373
    Abstract: A printer system may include a coaxial extruder head that extrudes a core, a bulk, and/or a core and bulk cladding to form complex structures without retooling. The coaxial extruder head may include a distribution channel with an entrance and an exit, a priming chamber that surrounds the distribution channel. The priming chamber may include an outlet and a first inlet, a heating element thermally connected to the priming chamber, and a nozzle connected to the outlet of the priming chamber. Further, the nozzle may converge from the outlet of the priming chamber to an orifice of the nozzle. In addition, the exit of the distribution channel may be disposed at the orifice of the nozzle. This structure facilitates extruding a core and cladding type composite from the extruder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventors: Cole Nielsen-Cole, James Frei
  • Patent number: 10977861
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for inferring quality in point cloud-based three-dimensional objects using topographical data analysis. A first graph is generated representing a three-dimensional model, each vertex in the first graph representing a respective connected component within a layer of the three-dimensional model and each edge in the first graph representing a connection between two respective connected components within two respective layers of the three-dimensional model. A second graph representing negative space associated with the three-dimensional model is also generated, each vertex in the second graph representing a connected component of a negative space region within the layer of the three-dimensional model and each edge in the second graph representing a connection between two respective connected components with two respective layers of the three-dimensional model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Rosen
  • Patent number: 10967573
    Abstract: A tank assembly for a 3D printing system may include a membrane assembly that is releasably secured to a bottom rim of a tank sidewall of the tank assembly. The securing mechanism may include one or more of a friction-fit coupling and a magnetic coupling. The membrane assembly may include a frame, a radiation-transparent flexible membrane and a membrane securing member. A peripheral portion of the flexible membrane may be secured within a groove of the frame by the membrane securing member. The tank sidewall may include one or more components for supplying fresh resin to the tank assembly and one or more components for draining used resin from the tank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NEXA3D INC.
    Inventors: Izhar Medalsy, Chance Holland
  • Patent number: 10949902
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for authentication and making payment when carrying out on-demand manufacturing. The system and method ensures that payment can be conveniently made by users and subsequently, appropriate payments are made to parties for their role in the on-demand manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: MASTERCARD ASIA/PACIFIC PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Tobias Puehse, Bensam Joyson
  • Patent number: 10933586
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing apparatus and methods. An exemplary additive manufacturing system may include an extruder, the extruder having an opening dimensioned to receive a material. The apparatus may also include an extruder output in fluid communication with the extruder, wherein the extruder output extends away from the extruder along a longitudinal axis. One or more heaters positioned along at least a portion of the extruder output may also be included, and, as the material passes through the extruder output, the one or more heaters may at least partially melt the material. The system may also include a gear pump in fluid communication with the extruder output for receiving the at least partially melted material, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the gear pump for depositing the at least partially melted material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Scott G. Vaal, Brian S. Smiddy, Jonathan I. Fuquay
  • Patent number: 10928805
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) system is disclosed for constructing a three dimensional (3D) part with optimized orthotropy. The system combines an electronic processor which calculates an optimal set of physically achievable toolpaths to meet a given design objective, and a 3D printing direct ink write machine capable of printing inks with reinforcing particles that result in orthotropic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. King, Ryan A. Fellini
  • Patent number: 10926526
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensionally formed object in which the three-dimensionally formed object is manufactured by laminating layers to forma laminate, includes: forming a constituent layer corresponding to a constituent region of the three-dimensionally formed object; forming a support layer which is in contact with the constituent layer and supports the constituent layer by ejecting a flowable composition including a resin from an ejecting portion in the form of liquid drops; solidifying the support layer; and heating the laminate which is formed in the formation of the constituent layer, the formation of the support layer, and the solidification of the support layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Okamoto, Masaya Ishida, Daiki Tokushima, Toshimitsu Hirai
  • Patent number: 10913216
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rotor blade panel of a wind turbine includes placing a mold of the rotor blade panel relative to a computer numeric control (CNC) device. The method also includes forming one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins in the mold. The method also includes printing and depositing, via the CNC device, printing and depositing, via the CNC device, a plurality of rib members that intersect to form at least one three-dimensional (3-D) reinforcement grid structure onto an inner surface of the one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins before the one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins have cooled from forming. Further, the grid structure bonds to the fiber-reinforced outer skin(s) as the structure is deposited. In addition, the plurality of rib members include, at least, a first rib member extending in a first direction and a second rib member extending in a different, second direction. Moreover, the first rib member has a varying height along a length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Robert Tobin, Thomas Merzhaeuser, Todd Anderson
  • Patent number: 10894354
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing using stereolithography (“SLA”) materials. The apparatus includes a platform for holding an assembly of SLA resin layers. The apparatus also includes a platform for holding an assembly of SLA resin layers. The apparatus also includes a first movable stage for depositing and curing a portion of the liquid SLA resin on the platform, forming a pattern of cured SLA resin. The apparatus also includes a second movable stage for depositing a low-viscosity non-SLA material in voids in the pattern of cured SLA resin. The apparatus also includes a cooler for cooling the low-viscosity non-SLA material below its freezing point until solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Yong Chen, Jie Jin
  • Patent number: 10882250
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system enables continual production of three-dimensional objects without operator intervention. The system is configured to form an object on a planar member, rotate the planar member 180° to enable gravity to move the object from the planar member to an object transport, which carries the object to a receptacle for storage and later processing. The opposite side of the planar member is then available for manufacture of another object and the planar member is again rotated following manufacture of the object so it can be removed and carried to the receptacle. The alternating formation of objects on opposite sides of the planar member continues until a predetermined number of objects has been made. The planar member can include one or more heaters to heat the surface on which an object is formed to facilitate release of the object once the planar member has been rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher D. Blair
  • Patent number: 10880956
    Abstract: A head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The head may include a nozzle configured to discharge multiple fiber strands oriented transversely adjacent each other relative to a travel direction of the head. The head may also include a matrix supply separately associated with each of the multiple fiber strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Lyle Tyler
  • Patent number: 10852717
    Abstract: Material logistics system for coordinating transfer of production material so that production material is available as needed at production stations of a manufacturing facility, in particular a series production facility. Thus, multiple sensors are provided for sensing a production material supply at production stations, as well as a central unit in signal-transmitting connection with the sensors and which, based on output signals transmitted from the sensors, determines logistics data relating to the production material for a particular production station. And also, using logistics data, generates control signals for the transfer of production material and provides them for further data processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Identytec GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thorsten Finke
  • Patent number: 10836109
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), the apparatus comprising: a first detection device (15) adapted to detect at least one first process parameter (P1), particularly during operation of the apparatus (1), and to generate a first data set (DS1) comprising information relating to the detected first process parameter (P1); at least one second detection device (16) adapted to detect at least one second process parameter (P2), particularly during operation of the apparatus (1), and to generate at least one second data set (DS2) comprising information relating to the detected second process parameter (P2); a data processing device (18) adapted to link the first data set (DS1) with the at least one second data set (DS1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
    Inventors: Florian Bechmann, Tobias Bokkes, Philipp Schumann, Alexandra Popp, Marie-Christin Ebert
  • Patent number: 10838404
    Abstract: Methods and systems for designing a volumetric model of a construct at a user interface through use of a 3-D design, fabrication and assembly system comprising a modeling component, a robotic assembly workstation component, and a workflow configuration module to generate, through the workflow configuration module, a 3-D print bill of materials for a rendered volumetric model; generate a workflow configuration model based on the 3-D print bill of materials, the model including an automated robot control scheme of a series of assembly order instructions to direct a multi-axis robot of the robotic assembly workstation component to print and/or assemble a construct; transmit the workflow configuration model to the robotic assembly workstation component with a print and/or assembly command in accordance with the automated robot control scheme; and print and/or assemble the construct with the multi-axis robot in accordance with the print and/or assembly command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Advanced Solutions Life Sciences, LLC
    Inventor: Michael W. Golway
  • Patent number: 10839559
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for full color data processing for 3D objects are provided. The method includes: performing a layering process on a target object to determine slice-layer data of each layer, wherein the slice-layer data includes layer-color data and layer-structure data, the layer-color data represents color information of the target object, and the layer-structure data represents a printing location of the target object; and analyzing the layer-color data and the layer-structure data when the layer-color data is consistent with background color data of the target object and analyzing the layer-color data when the layer-color data is inconsistent with the background color data of the target object, thereby determining a layer color of the target object and determining printing information of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ZHUHAI SEINE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Xiaokun Chen, Dongqing Xiang
  • Patent number: 10821673
    Abstract: Method for operating at least one apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, wherein slice data are provided relating to an application of build material (3) in at least one section (14-18) of an object (2) to be built, wherein the slice data comprise a number of slices relating to corresponding layers of build material (3) to be applied, wherein the slice data comprise a number of first slices corresponding to a first section (14-18) of the object (2) and at least a number of second slices corresponding to at least a second section (14-18) of the object (2), wherein the number of first slices and the number of second slices differ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Pontiller-Schymura, Frank Schödel, Boris Eichenberg
  • Patent number: 10816958
    Abstract: In one example, an executable program on a computer-readable storage medium that instructs a processor to predict a characteristic of at least some parts in plural orders from a corresponding computer model of the part. The program also instructs the processor to assign, based on the predicted characteristics, models of at least some similar parts from different orders to different build trays usable to fabricate the parts. The program further instructs the processor to, for each build tray, sort the fabricated parts into the plural orders by matching a measured characteristic of a part to a predicted characteristic of unsorted parts from the build tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Craig Peter Sayers, Prakash D. Reddy
  • Patent number: 10811246
    Abstract: A forming method for forming a three-dimensional object includes a generating step including, based on model data representing the object, generating cross-section data respectively representing cross-sections of the object that are different in position in a cross-section arrangement direction. An executing step includes discharging build materials respectively based on the cross-section data. When at least a portion of the object is to be colored: the cross-section data include colored region data respectively representing cross-sections of a colored region of the object that is to be colored based on a color of a surface of the object; the executing step includes forming the colored region using the build materials based on the colored region data; the model data represents the color of the surface of the object in a multi-level gradation; and each of the colored region data represents a color in a lower level of gradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Harayama
  • Patent number: 10810793
    Abstract: Methods for modeling a 3-dimensional (3D) object, comprising operating at least one hardware processor for, receiving a 3D volumetric model of the object, receiving a 3D model of a tile, paving multiple ones of the tiles in the interior domain of the 3D volumetric model, and providing a 3D filled model of the filled inner volume of the 3D volumetric model are provided. Computer program products and systems for doing same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited
    Inventor: Gershon Elber
  • Patent number: 10807292
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) extrusion die system having an extrusion die configured to receive a material to be extruded. The extrusion die includes a main body having a cylindrical section and a distal tapered section terminating at an extruder tip. The main body is configured to mount to a barrel of an additive manufacturing system. The die further includes a central extruder channel extending axially along the main body configured to receive the material at the cylindrical section of the main body and output the material at the extruder tip of the main body, and a cartridge heater slot formed within the main body and generally parallel to the central extruder channel. The cartridge heater slot configured to receive a cartridge heater therein for imparting thermal energy to the material within the central extruder channel. A cooling system is provided for controlling a temperature of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Jonathan Wesley McGee, Asa Leland Peller
  • Patent number: 10807353
    Abstract: A laminate shaping support material is provided which includes one of: a resin composition containing a polyvinyl alcohol resin having a primary hydroxyl group at its side chain, and having a heat of fusion of 10 to 30 J/g at its melting point (Embodiment (X)); and a resin composition containing a polyvinyl alcohol resin, and a block copolymer including a polymer block of an aromatic vinyl compound, at least one of a polymer block of a conjugated diene compound and a block of a hydrogenated conjugated diene compound, and a functional group reactive with a hydroxyl group (Embodiment (Y)). Therefore, the laminate shaping support material according to Embodiment (X), for example, is excellent in shape stability and adhesiveness to a model material. The laminate shaping support material according to Embodiment (Y) is excellent in peelability and forming stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihito Sakai, Shusaku Mandai
  • Patent number: 10807192
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional component by an electron-beam, laser-sintering or laser-melting process, in which the component is created by successively solidifying predetermined portions of individual layers of building material that can be solidified by being exposed to the effect of an electron-beam or laser-beam source (2) by melting on the building material, wherein thermographic data records are recorded during the production of the layers, respectively characterizing a temperature profile of at least certain portions of the respective layer, and the irradiation of the layers takes place by means of an electron beam or laser beam (3), which is controlled on the basis of the recorded thermographic data records in such a way that a largely homogeneous temperature profile is produced, wherein, to irradiate an upper layer, a focal point (4) of the electron beam or laser beam (3) is guided along a scanning path (17), which is chosen on the basis of the data record charac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Herzog
  • Patent number: 10800155
    Abstract: According to one example, there is provided a system for managing the generation of three-dimension objects by an additive manufacturing system. The system comprises a processor to receive one or multiple virtual objects, to generate a spatial arrangement of those objects within a virtual build volume, to control an additive manufacturing system to process the virtual build volume, to modify the virtual build volume in response to a request, and to control the additive manufacturing system to process the modified virtual build volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jun Zeng, Sebastia Cortes I Herms, Scott A. White