Abstract: A substrate processing method for removing a resist film from a substrate having the resist film formed thereon comprises maintaining the inner region of the chamber at a prescribed temperature by putting a substrate in a chamber, denaturing the resist film by supplying ozone and a water vapor in such a manner that ozone is supplied into the chamber while a water vapor is supplied into the chamber at a prescribed flow rate, the amount of ozone relative to the amount of the water vapor being adjusted such that the dew formation within the chamber is prevented, and processing the substrate with a prescribed liquid material so as to remove the denatured resist film from the substrate.

Abstract: A system for implanting a temporary anchorage device in a jaw bone of a patient makes use of a digital representation of at least a portion of the patient's dental arch, including teeth and corresponding roots, in order to select a temporary anchorage device (TAD) implant site that does not interfere with a tooth root. A surgical guide relates the information from the digital representation to an actual location in the patient's jaw bone. The surgical guide is formed to fit over at least a portion of the occlusal, buccal, labial, and/or lingual surfaces of the dental arch proximate to the selected TAD implant site and includes a physical and/or visual marker that indicates the selected TAD implant site.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a reproduction of a three-dimensional physical object by obtaining a digital two-dimensional representation of the object, manipulating the two-dimensional representation to input-data for a manufacturing machine, and manufacturing a reproduction of a three-dimensional physical object based on the input-data.

Abstract: The invention provides for a volume element (voxel) printing system for printing a three-dimensional object. The system includes a first printhead group having a plurality of first printheads configured to print a first voxel layer on a substrate, and at least one second printhead group having a plurality of second printheads downstream from the first group. The second group is configured to print a subsequent voxel layer on at least part of the first layer. The system also includes an object insertion device configured to insert objects into voids in the voxel layers, and a conveyor to operatively convey the substrate past the printhead groups. Also included is a control system to control and monitor the printhead groups, the object insertion device and the conveyor.

Abstract: A method for building a three-dimensional (3-D) object is provided. The method may include dispensing an interface material to form a lower part of the three dimensional object, inserting an insert into a recess present in the lower part and dispensing the interface material on the lower part to form the three dimensional object.

Abstract: A printing system is provided having a conveyor for conveying a substrate along a conveying direction, and a sequence of printhead groups arranged along the conveying direction for printing respective object layers onto one another. A first printhead group within the sequence prints its respective object layer onto the substrate. At least one of the printhead groups is configured to print its respective object layer with at least two materials.

Abstract: A system for making custom prototypes including devices for making the prototype, logic, software, firmware, hardware, circuitry or other components and responsive to user input.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for performing a calibration routine of a deposition device in a three-dimensional modeling machine that deposits a material to build up three-dimensional objects as directed by a controller on a substrate mounted on a platform. The method comprises generating a material build profile, which represents a three-dimensional structure at defined locations. A relative position of the material build profile is then determined. An expected build profile is identified and then compared to the determined relative position of the material build profile to identify any difference which represents an offset. The modeling system then positions the deposition device based upon the offset.

Abstract: A reproduction is prepared wherein the length of the reproduction is varied by one scale factor and the deeps of the image produced in the reproduction is varied by a second scale factor. The reproduction may be, prepared from a three dimensional article or a painting, art work or other two dimensional member having a topography in the surface thereof (such as brush strokes) or from a two dimensional substrate which has a picture thereon without any topography wherein the topography which is applied to the reproduction is prepared based upon computer interpretation of the objects present in the picture.

Abstract: A system for implanting a temporary anchorage device in a jaw bone of a patient makes use of a digital representation of at least a portion of the patient's dental arch, including teeth and corresponding roots, in order to select a temporary anchorage device (TAD) implant site that does not interfere with a tooth root. A surgical guide relates the information from the digital representation to an actual location in the patient's jaw bone. The surgical guide is formed to fit over at least a portion of the occlusal, buccal, labial, and/or lingual surfaces of the dental arch proximate to the selected TAD implant site and includes a physical and/or visual marker that indicates the selected TAD implant site.

Abstract: A semiconductor mask correcting device is provided with an image acquiring unit acquiring a mask image, an extraction unit extracting only a main pattern from the mask data, an inspection unit inspecting a defective portion by comparing the extracted main pattern with a main pattern which is obtained from the mask image after a drawing by matching to each other, and a correction unit correcting the defective portion specified by the inspection unit, wherein the extraction unit includes a recognition section recognizing the main pattern and the assist pattern as a figure, a specification section specifying the assist pattern from figures which is recognized on the basis of a predetermined condition, and a main pattern extracting section extracting as the main pattern a figure other than the assist pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional object by solidification of a material solidifiable under the action of electromagnetic radiation by means of energy input via an imaging unit comprising a predetermined number of discrete imaging elements (pixels). The method comprises performing solidification with exposure using bitmap mask. The bitmap mask may be formed from a stack of bitmap data provided by an overlap analysis of a three-dimensional volume completely or partially enclosing a three-dimensional model of at least a part of the three-dimensional object to be produced. Alternatively, bitmap mask may be formed from a two-dimensional data set comprising overlap information. Solidification may be performing with exposure using bitmap mask generated “on the fly”. The invention is also directed to devices, and a computer and a data carrier useful for performing or executing the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for designing dental articulator inserts from 3d dental data (4d datasets). These 4d datasets may be used directly to provide a jaw motion model suitable for enhanced CAD or, they may be used to derive mathematical expressions that are then used to design dental articulator inserts. The methods of the invention are based on acquiring time-based 3d data representing the upper and lower teeth. Each datum in the 4d dataset may therefore contain an accurate record of the relationship between the upper and lower arch in three dimensions.

Abstract: The unique advantages of computer-controlled fabrication of a patient-specific orthotic device using an automated fabrication machine capable of following computer instructions to create 3D surface contours and new developments in non-invasive three-dimensional (3D) scanning have made it possible to acquire digital models of freeform surfaces such as the surface anatomy of the human body and to then fabricate such a patient-specific device with high precision. Such a patient-specific device brings significant improvement in patient-specific fit, comfort, and function of medical devices (and, in particular, to orthoses that require a close fit to the wearer's body to act effectively). The combination of these two technologies is ideally suited for the development of patient-specific orthotic devices. A patient specific ankle-foot orthotic device using this technology is disclosed. This exemplary device is used to help stabilize the ankle-foot region, for example, in patients with impaired gait.

Abstract: A system and a method for printing of three-dimensional objects are provided. The system may include at least two replaceable printing trays and the method may include printing using a printing head a first three dimensional object on a first replaceable printing tray in a printing area; automatically moving the first tray from the printing area; automatically placing a second replaceable printing tray in the printing area; and immediately resuming printing a second three dimensional object on the second tray.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object using an extrusion-based layered deposition system, the method comprising generating a build path for building a layer of the three-dimensional object, where the build path defines a void region. The method further comprising generating at least one intermediate path in the void region, and generating a remnant path based at least in part on the at least one intermediate path.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention are directed to techniques for electrochemically fabricating multi-layer three-dimensional structures where selective patterning of at least one or more layers occurs via a mask which is formed using data representing cross-sections of the three-dimensional structure which has been modified to place it in a polygonal form which defines only regions of positive area. The regions of positive area are regions where structural material is to be located or regions where structural material is not to be located depending on whether the mask will be used, for example, in selectively depositing a structural material or a sacrificial material. The modified data may take the form of adjacent or slightly overlapped relative narrow rectangular structures where the width of the structures is related to a desired formation resolution. The spacing between centers of adjacent rectangles may be uniform or may be a variable.

Abstract: A method of contact lithography includes predicting distortions likely to occur in transferring a pattern from a mold to a substrate during a contact lithography process; and modifying the mold to compensate for the distortions. A contact lithography system includes a design subsystem configured to generate data describing a lithography pattern; an analysis subsystem configured to identify one or more distortions likely to occur when using a mold created from the data; and a mold modification subsystem configured to modify the data to compensate for the one or more distortions identified by the analysis subsystem.

Abstract: The present invention is a method (10) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. The method (10) includes receiving (14) digital information of the three-dimensional object over a communication line and building (30) the three-dimensional object based at least in part on the received digital information, where at least part of the three-dimensional object is built by rapid manufacturing, and where the three-dimensional object comprises an exterior surface. The method also includes vapor smoothing (32) at least a portion of the exterior surface of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A method of forming an article in a layer wise manufacturing process from a computer software file representing the article includes dividing the file into sub files in dependence of the size or other characteristics of features of the article to be created, applying a process characteristic selected independence on a characteristic feature to each sub file and manufacturing the article in accordance with the subfiles.

Abstract: A method to help control the quality of printed three-dimensional objects is provided. The method may include depositing building materials to print a three-dimensional object with an adjacent support construction such that the object and the support construction are separated by a barrier and the barrier includes vacant pixels, where no building material is deposited.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a print file for printing a 3-D print using a 3-D printing system is described, the 3-D print comprising a plurality of 3-D structures printed on a substrate, each 3-D print structure having a height with respect to the substrate. A two-dimensional source image is input comprising a plurality of image pixel areas. A filtered image is obtained by applying a topographic operator to the source image to generate for every image pixel a representation of a pixel height profile, the pixel height profile corresponding to cross-sections through a 3-D print structure which is to be formed by 3-D printing. Thereby definitions of a plurality of image layers are generated from the filtered image for printing using the 3-D printing system. The print file is output based on the plurality of image layers.

Abstract: A method and system for a high-speed datapath for a high-performance pattern generator such as an analog SLM for generating the image is disclosed. The data path has provisions for completely independent parallel data flows giving true scalability to arbitrarily high throughput. In an exemplary embodiment areas on the SLM are assigned to specific rasterizing and fracturing processors. There is an overlap between fields for blending of the edges in the pattern and for computation of interaction between features in the pattern. The datapath has data integrity checks and a recovery mode when an error condition is raised, allowing it to recover from most errors without creating new errors.

Abstract: With use of three-dimensional data of a brain shape, a mold for forming a sheet-shaped structure having a three-dimensional shape of the gyrus or sulcus surface, or the interhemispheric fissure or interlobar fissure surface is formed. With use of the mold, a sheet-shaped silicone structure 2 having a three-dimensional shape of the gyrus or sulcus surface, or the interhemispheric fissure or interlobar fissure surface is formed. An electrode 3 is arranged on at least one side of the silicone structure 2. With this configuration, an intracranial electrode 1 in which the electrode 3 is arranged on the sheet-shaped silicone structure 2 having the three-dimensional shape of the gyrus or sulcus surface, or the interhemispheric fissure or interlobar fissure surface can be produced.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an object by sequentially forming thin layers of a construction material one on top of the other responsive to data defining the object, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of printing heads each having a surface formed with a plurality of output orifices and controllable to dispense the construction material through each orifice independently of the other orifices; a shuttle to which the printing heads are mounted; a support surface; and a controller adapted to control the shuttle to move back and forth over the support surface and as the shuttle moves to control the printing heads to dispense the construction material through each of their respective orifices responsive to the data to form a first layer on the support surface and thereafter, sequentially the other layers; wherein each printing head is dismountable from the shuttle and replaceable independently of the other printing heads.

Abstract: A patient-configured tissue cutting device is disclosed, which is structured and arranged to be inserted through the vascular system into a body vessel adjacent to the heart and/or into the heart, and to be subsequently subjected to a change of shape in order to penetrate into the heart tissue. The patient configured tissue cutting device may thus advantageously be used for treating disorders to the heart rhythm regulation system of a specific patient. A kit of devices provides a plurality of devices for creating a lesion pattern for treating such disorders, a device, system, and method for determining the shape of said vessel, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process of fabricating aerospace parts using selective laser sintering is provided, wherein the process generally comprises the steps of preparing a powder nylon material, loading the powder nylon material into a laser sintering machine, warming up the powder nylon material according to build warm-up parameters, building the part according to build parameters and part parameters, and cooling down the part according to build cool-down parameters. As a result, parts are produced that are directly used in aerospace structures, which meet the stringent performance requirements of aerospace applications, rather than as rapid prototypes as with conventional selective laser sintering processes. Additionally, specific designs for aerospace parts such as ducts, panels, and shrouds are provided that are produced by the selective laser sintering process.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming freeform solid articles includes a head unit having a plurality of arc-shaped support arms. The support arms mount material feeders and power sources which are directed at a work table. The material feeders, power sources and movement of the head unit and work table are controlled by a computerized control system.

Abstract: A system for building a three-dimensional object with a layer-based additive technique, the system comprising a controller configured to receive build sequence data for the three-dimensional object, a head assembly in signal communication with the controller and configured to form a plurality of layers of the three-dimensional object based on the build sequence data, and an insert placement apparatus in signal communication with the controller and configured to place at least one insert in the plurality of formed layers based on the build sequence data.

Abstract: A device for depositing layers of material to form three dimensional objects using a plurality of printheads that can print multiple layers simultaneously and different materials into the same layer, wherein some of the printheads can be maintained at a temperature that differs from the operating temperature of the other printheads.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object using an extrusion-based layered deposition system, the method comprising generating a build path for building a layer of the three-dimensional object, where the build path defines a void region. The method further comprising generating at least one intermediate path in the void region, and generating a remnant path based at least in part on the at least one intermediate path.

Abstract: A method of producing a flexible circuit according to an embodiment herein include supplying a substrate layer film and supplying a cover layer film. A conductive ink is printed on at least a portion of the substrate layer film using an ink jet printing technique. The cover layer film is then laminated over the substrate layer film to provide the flexible circuit. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: In a mask for forming a fine pattern to completely transfer a first and a second pattern from the mask onto a receiving object, and a method of forming the mask, the mask includes a first pattern, a second pattern, and a supplemental pattern. The first pattern repeats in a first direction. The second pattern is arranged between and parallel to the first pattern and has a first width W1. The supplemental pattern is disposed between the first pattern and the second pattern, and is spaced apart by a first distance D1 in the first direction from the second pattern.

Abstract: A composite part program post-processor that produces a composite part program for use with a computer-numerical control (CNC) multihead composite material application machine. The post-processor includes a definition receiver, a route delineator, an approach and departure profiler, a machine axis solution computer, and an output file composer. The definition receiver receives material application path definitions, for example, from a composite part program generator. The route delineator delineates tool carriage and manufacturing tool routes. In addition, the approach and departure profiler adds approach and departure profiles to the paths, and the machine axis position computer computes machine axis positions to control the composite material application machine and guide the composite material application heads along the paths. The output file composer then composes a CNC composite part program.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and adjusting heat distribution over a part bed are disclosed. In one embodiment, a technique for providing a calibrated heat distribution over a part bed includes determining the temperature distribution within a part bed, generating a zone heat distribution for a plurality of heat zones from the temperature distribution, analyzing the zone heat distribution to create an adjustment command to calibrate a heater for providing a substantially consistent temperature distribution within the part bed, and adjusting the heater based on the adjustment command.

Abstract: A device for depositing layers of material to form three dimensional objects using a plurality of printheads that can print multiple layers simultaneously and different materials into the same layer, wherein some of the printheads can be maintained at a temperature that differs from the operating temperature of the other printheads.

Abstract: The use of smooth post-ECP topography (instead of final chip topography) as an objective during dummy filling enables a computationally efficient model-based dummy filling solution for copper while maintaining solution quality. A layout can be divided into tiles and the “case” of each tile identified. Exemplary cases can include conformal fill, over fill, super fill, or super/over fill (if the ECP model cannot distinguish between super and over fill cases). One or more undesired tile cases can be converted to a desired tile case. Then, a height difference between tiles can be minimized. Dummy features can be inserted in the layout to perform the conversion and to minimize the height difference between tiles. Minimizing the CMP-effective density difference between tiles with ECP considerations can be performed to further improve planarization.

Abstract: A production line is provided for forming a layered product. The production line includes a conveyor configured to convey a substrate. A plurality of elongate printheads extend transverse to the conveyance direction and is configured to print voxels upon the conveyed substrate to form the layered product. The printheads are arranged to form a plurality of sets which are equidistantly spaced apart.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for forming an object, the method comprising jetting a first material to form a plurality of layers that define a support structure increment, and extruding a second material to form a layer of the object. The layer of the object substantially conforms to an interior surface of the support structure increment.

Abstract: A tool used to direct the pressure applied to features of a plastic laminate part layup during co-curing or co-bonding is manufactured using direct digital manufacturing techniques. A CAD drawing representing the tool is generated and converted into digital data file suitable for controlling the operation of a rapid prototyping machine. The tool is formed in the rapid prototyping machine by additive layering of material until the features and dimensions of the layered material correspond to the CAD drawing. The resulting tool exhibits geometries and dimensions virtually identical to the theoretical dimensions of the CAD model of the tool.

Abstract: A method of controlling one or more critical dimension (CD) features, dependent upon at least a first and a second processing parameter, with a single metrology step, while still enabling decoupled feedback to the first and the second processing parameter, includes an initial process characterization; producing a production piece; a single metrology step to determine the critical dimensions of the produced features; solving a system of equations simultaneously for individual feedback correction values for the first and second processing parameters; and applying the individual feedback correction values to their respective processing parameters.

Abstract: An extrusion head comprising at least one mounting structure, a first liquefier pump secured to the at least one mounting structure, a second liquefier pump disposed adjacent to the first liquefier pump, a toggle mechanism supported by the at least one mounting structure and configured to move the second liquefier pump relative to the first liquefier pump along a first axis, and a slot engagement assembly connected in part to the second liquefier pump for defining a range of motion for the second liquefier pump along the first axis.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a method and system for real-time monitoring and controlling the height of a deposit by using image photographing and image processing technology in a laser cladding and laser-aided direct metal manufacturing process. This invention also provides a method of controlling the intensity of laser power, which is one of the most important process variables, regardless of the operational condition of a laser power unit (401). The method and system of this invention controls the height of a deposit (205) by real-time monitoring the position and the height of a melt pool (203) and controlling the process variables using the image photographing and image processing technology in such a laser cladding and laser-aided direct metal manufacturing process based on a laser surface modification technology, such as laser surface alloying and laser cladding, or a laser-aided direct metal manufacturing technology.

Abstract: A three dimensional object creation system prints objects layer by layer. A conveyor conveys a substrate relative to an arrangement of printheads having multiple groups of printheads. Each group of printheads prints a respective layer of multiple materials over the previous layer such that the system prints the entire three dimensional object in a single pass.

Abstract: A method and associated software and a system for automatic package marking makes use of specification of an image for a package. The specification includes specifications of data fields for marking on a package. Data values for the data fields are received from multiple data sources. Images are formed based on the received data values and the specification of the image.

Abstract: Arrangement for producing a three-dimensional product, which arrangement comprises a work table on which said three-dimensional product is to be built up, a powder dispenser which is arranged so as to distribute a thin layer of powder on the work table for forming a powder bed, a radiation gun for delivering energy to the powder, fusing together of the powder then taking place, means for guiding the beam emitted by the radiation gun over said powder bed for forming a cross section of said three-dimensional product by fusing together parts of said powder bed, and a control computer in which information about successive cross sections of the three-dimensional product is stored, which cross sections build up the three-dimensional product, where the control computer is intended to control said means for guiding the radiation gun over the powder bed according to an operating scheme forming a cross section of said three-dimensional body, said three-dimensional product being formed by successive fusing together of s

Abstract: Provided is a volume element printing system for printing a three-dimensional object. The system includes a first printhead group having a plurality of first printheads configured to print a first voxel layer on a substrate, and at least one second printhead group having a plurality of second printheads downstream from the first group. The second printhead group is configured to print a subsequent voxel layer on at least part of the first layer, said second printheads being reconfigurable as backup printheads for the first printheads in case of failure. The system also includes an object insertion device configured to insert an object into a cavity defined by the voxel layers, and a conveyor configured to convey the substrate past the printhead groups. Also included is a control system configured to control and monitor the printhead groups, the object insertion device and the conveyor, and dynamically to reconfigure the second printheads if failure of a first printhead is detected.

Abstract: A method for building a three-dimensional object by depositing drops of material from a printing head onto a printing surface, layer upon layer is provided. The method includes providing data representing a layer of a three-dimensional object having X and Y coordinates, where X represents the direction of motion of the printing head; applying an X offset parameter for the X coordinate to compensate for inaccuracies caused by deviation of a drop flight trajectory between forward and reverse motions of the printing head; modifying the data based on the X offset parameter and printing the layer of the three-dimensional object according to modified data.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention are directed to techniques for electrochemically fabricating multi-layer three-dimensional structures where selective patterning of at least one or more layers occurs via a mask which is formed using data representing cross-sections of the three-dimensional structure which has been modified to place it in a polygonal form which defines only regions of positive area. The regions of positive area are regions where structural material is to be located or regions where structural material is not to be located depending on whether the mask will be used, for example, in selectively depositing a structural material or a sacrificial material. The modified data may take the form of adjacent or slightly overlapped relative narrow rectangular structures where the width of the structures is related to a desired formation resolution. The spacing between centers of adjacent rectangles may be uniform or may be a variable.

Abstract: A method of printing a three-dimensional object is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of stationary printhead layer groups, each layer group comprising at least one printhead for printing a respective layer of the object; conveying a partially-formed object past the layer groups; and simultaneously printing material from at least one printhead in each layer group, such that a plurality of different layers are printed simultaneously by the layer groups.