Molding Patents (Class 700/197)
  • Patent number: 11899436
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nesting sub-spaces for a machine tool by reading in evaluation criteria for an arrangement of nested sub-spaces, generating sequence data for an arrangement of nested sub-spaces, repeatedly performing a process until the result data exceeds a specified range. The process includes: generating evaluation data by evaluating the sequence data with an evaluation algorithm, generating result data based on a combinatorial logic of the evaluation data with the evaluation criteria, generating calculation data from the sequence data, the evaluation data, and the result data using the evaluation algorithm, generating further sequence data taking into account the calculation data with the evaluation algorithm, and repeating the process until the result data exceeds a specified range. The calculation data acts onto the generation of new sequence data to improve an arrangement of nested sub-spaces with respect to evaluation criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen SE + Co. KG
    Inventor: Stephan Fischer
  • Patent number: 11858190
    Abstract: An abnormality detection device includes a servo CPU; a physical quantity detection unit which detects a physical quantity such as a load applied on a servo motor which operates a movable part included in an injection molding machine. The abnormality detection device further includes a first storage unit directly readable/writable by the servo CPU; and a second storage unit not directly readable/writable by the servo CPU. A reference physical quantity is stored in the first and second storage units. The servo CPU outputs an instruction for stopping or decelerating the movable part in response to a first physical quantity deviation, which is a deviation between a reference physical quantity read from the first storage unit and a current physical quantity, or a second physical quantity deviation, which is a deviation between a reference physical quantity read from the second storage unit and a current physical quantity, exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junpei Maruyama
  • Patent number: 11776217
    Abstract: Disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a method for planning three-dimensional scanning viewpoint, a device for planning three-dimensional scanning viewpoint and a computer readable storage medium. After a low-precision digitalized model of an object to be scanned is acquired, viewpoint planning calculation is performed, on the basis of a viewpoint planning algorithm, on point cloud data in the low-precision digitalized model, and then the positions and line-of-sight directions of a plurality of viewpoints in space are calculated when a three-dimensional sensor needs to perform three-dimensional scanning on said object. Calculating viewpoints of a three-dimensional sensor by means of a viewpoint planning algorithm can effectively improve the accuracy and scientific nature of sensor posture determination, greatly improving the efficiency of viewpoint planning, and reducing the time consumed in the whole three-dimensional measurement process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiaoli Liu, Yifan Liao, Hailong Chen, Xiang Peng, Qijian Tang
  • Patent number: 11712827
    Abstract: Provided is a molding machine management system that manages production of a plurality of molding machines, including: a display unit configured to display a production performance and a planned production status in association with a time axis for each molding machine, and, when the molding machine management system receives an abnormality of a molding machine, to display the abnormality of the molding machine in association with the time axis for each molding machine. The molding machine management system configured as described above can appropriately manage each molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventors: Yusuke Mitsuma, Yoshiaki Otsuki, Ko Tsukada
  • Patent number: 11710538
    Abstract: The efficiency of polymer synthesis is increased by reducing the number of monomer addition cycles needed to create a set of polymer strands. The number of cycles depends on the sequences of the polymer strands and the order in which each type of monomer is made available for addition to the growing strands. Efficiencies are created by grouping the polymer strands into batches such that all the strands in a batch require a similar number of cycles to synthesize. Efficiencies are also created by selecting an order in which the monomers are made available for addition to the growing polymer strands in a batch. Both techniques can be used together. With these techniques, the number of cycles of monomer addition and commensurate reagent use may be reduced by over 10% as compared to naïve synthesis techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Sergey Yekhanin, Miklos Racz, Konstantin Makarychev, Cyrus A. Rashtchian, Karin Strauss, Bichlien Hoang Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11631045
    Abstract: A computer device implements a method of scheduling production of packaged dairy products in a production plant by simulation. The method obtains a production target for dairy products to be produced and packaged in the production plant, recipes for production of the packaged dairy products, where each recipe defines ingredients and recipe activities, and production unit data that specifies existing production units and available fluid paths in the production plant and associates the existing production units with unit activities and production capacities. The method further performs the simulation by generating, as a function of the recipes and the production unit data, time schedules of recipe activities performed at least partly by one or more combinations of the existing production units to achieve the production target data, and evaluating the time schedules for selection of at least one time schedule for the production plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Ruben Garay
  • Patent number: 11623378
    Abstract: A system includes a cavity, an injection nozzle configured to inject material into the cavity, and a plurality of sensors at sensor locations. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure parameters at one of the sensor locations. The system lacks a strain gauge. The system further includes a controller configured to control a flow rate of the injection of material into the cavity. The controller is configured to receive the measured parameters and compare the received information to predetermined curves. The controller is configured to control the flow rate when the measured parameters deviate from the predetermined curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: IMFLUX INC.
    Inventors: Milko Gergov, Chow-Chi Huang, Steve Andrew Burns, Rick Alan Pollard
  • Patent number: 11607827
    Abstract: Method for determining a manufacturing parameter for making an aligner with a desired aligner thickness using a thermoforming device operable for making the aligner by shaping a precursor aligner into the aligner using a mold representative of a dental archform, the method comprising: obtaining a 3D map associated with the dental archform; parsing the 3D map to determine a first property value and a second property value, the first property value being based on the 3D map and the second property value being derived from a 2D projection of the 3D map, and determining a thickness of the precursor aligner for obtaining the desired aligner thickness based on a ratio of the first property value and the second property value and a given value of an operating parameter of the thermoforming device; and sending instructions to the thermoforming device to make the desired aligner based on the determined operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Oxilio Ltd
    Inventors: Islam Khasanovich Raslambekov, Khamzat Saidovich Asabaev
  • Patent number: 11228649
    Abstract: There are provided a molded product manufacturing system that can be easily adapted to IoT and an apparatus for taking out a molded product that can promote adaptation of the molded product manufacturing system to IoT. A molded product manufacturing system includes an injection molding machine, an apparatus for taking out a molded product, and one or more peripheral devices arranged around the apparatus to operate together during operation of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a communication unit operable to transmit internal data to an external server via a communication network. The communication unit of the apparatus transmits external data, which is output from the one or more peripheral devices, to external servers together with information on a die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: YUSHIN PRECISION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Hamahata, Koji Ikeda, Ryuichi Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 11220033
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for generating a mold model for production predictive control and computer program products thereof. The method comprises receiving first parameters about molding machine sensors and second parameters about mold cavity; classifying each injection cycle of a plurality of injection cycles of a first injection molding machine considering the first and second parameters and quality or characteristics of injected given parts in the machine; processing the first and second parameters to remove undesired or irregular data values thereof; merging the first and second parameters providing a global group of processed parameters; executing a machine learning algorithm on the global group of processed parameters generating an extended mold model; and using said generated extended mold model for further monitoring and control of the mold in further injection processes in the first injection molding machine and/or for optimizing a production process of the mold in the first molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventors: Francesc Xavier Bonada Bo, Francisco Javier Planta Torralba, Gabriel Amilcar Anzaldi Varas
  • Patent number: 11065804
    Abstract: Blow molder system and associated method optimizes the performance, energy efficiency and/or operating costs of the blow molder. A blow molder controller executes a system model that relates blow molder input parameter changes to the characteristics of containers generated by the blow molder. Equipped with energy and/or operating cost data for operating the blow molder, the blow molder controller can select a set of blow molder input parameter changes for the blow molder that: drives the containers produced by the blow molder toward desired container characteristics, in an efficient amount of time, and in cost effective manner, considering the energy costs involved in implementing the changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: AGR International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Cowden, Sudha Jebadurai, Georg V. Wolfe, William E. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10864667
    Abstract: A molding system comprises a mold, a molding machine, a computing apparatus, and a controller. The computing apparatus is programmed to perform a first simulation to generate a velocity distribution and a temperature distribution of the molding material in a first portion of a simulating domain and a second simulation to generate a melting distribution of the solid decorating film in a second portion of the simulating domain, wherein the simulating domain corresponds to the mold cavity. The first molding simulation is to performed using a molding condition of the molding machine to set a boundary condition of the first portion, and the second molding simulation is performed using the velocity distribution and the temperature distribution of the molding material to set a boundary condition of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: CORETECH SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Chung Hsu, Tung-Huan Su, Hsien-Sen Chiu, Chia-Hsiang Hsu, Rong-Yeu Chang
  • Patent number: 10717208
    Abstract: A method for determining a manufacturing parameter for making an aligner with a desired aligner thickness using a thermoforming device operable for making the aligner by shaping a precursor aligner into the aligner using a mold representative of a dental archform, the method implemented by a computer system connectable to the thermoforming device, the method comprising: obtaining a 3D map associated with the dental archform; parsing the 3D map to determine a first property value and a second property value, the first property value being based on the 3D map and the second property value being derived from a 2D projection of the 3D map, and determining a thickness of the precursor aligner for obtaining the desired aligner thickness based on a ratio of the first property value and the second property value and a given value of an operating parameter of the thermoforming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Oxilio Ltd
    Inventors: Islam Khasanovich Raslambekov, Khamzat Saidovich Asabaev
  • Patent number: 10437205
    Abstract: A control system and a control method of manufacturing injection molding products are provided. The control system includes an injection molding machine, an information input interface, a computing server and a data conversion device. At first, product information is inputted through the information input interface. The product information is transmitted to the computing server, and then the computing server determines injection molding parameters according to the product information. The injection molding parameters are transmitted to the information input interface. After data conversion through the data conversion device, the injection molding machine is controlled to manufacture the injection molding products according to the converted injection molding parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: CHUNG YUAN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shia-Chung Chen, Chia-Yen Tseng, Yung-Hsiang Chang, Kuan-Hua Lee
  • Patent number: 10201918
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a molding system for preparing a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (FRT) composite article, including a molding machine; a mold disposed on the molding machine and having a mold cavity to be filled with a composite molding resin including a polymeric material having a plurality of fibers; a processing module configured to generate an anisotropic viscosity distribution of the composite molding resin in the mold cavity based on a molding condition for the molding machine; and a controller coupled to the computing apparatus and configured to control the molding machine with the molding condition to perform an actual molding for the composite molding resin. The anisotropic viscosity distribution of the composite molding resin is generated by taking into consideration an orientation distribution of the fibers in the composite molding resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignees: CORETECH SYSTEM CO., LTD., PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Anthony J. Favaloro, Robert Byron Pipes, Huan-Chang Tseng
  • Patent number: 10169499
    Abstract: In an example, a method includes storing thermoset resin rheology data associated with a thermoset resin at a memory. The thermoset resin rheology data includes a plurality of sets of dynamic fluid flow properties that are measured for the thermoset resin. The method includes receiving, at a computing device, information associated with a printed circuit board (PCB) laminate design. The method also includes receiving, at the computing device, a first set of PCB lamination parameters. The method further includes storing, at the computing device, a first thermoset resin flow model. The first thermoset resin flow model is generated based on the thermoset resin rheology data, the information associated with the PCB laminate design, and the first set of PCB lamination parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Arvind K. Sinha, Kevin A. Splittstoesser, Timothy J. Tofil
  • Patent number: 9944009
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a container (2), by drawing and blowing in a mould (8), from a blank (3) made of plastic material, which includes the following operations: inserting the blank (3) in the mould (8); controlling the opening of a pre-blowing solenoid valve (17) at a predetermined pre-blowing rate (DP); measuring the current pressure (P) inside the blank (3); detecting an actual time (tA) for starting the pre-blowing step; calculating a time (tF) for ending the pre-blowing step such that: tF=tA+?t??, wherein: ?t is a predetermined time for opening the pre-blowing solenoid valve and ? is a predetermined constant; deducing therefrom an actual pressure (PF) at the end of the pre-blowing step; comparing said pressure to a theoretical pressure (Pth); and if said pressures are found to be non-identical, ordering a modification of the pre-blowing rate (DP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Thierry Deau, Julien Gendre
  • Patent number: 9862133
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for preparing an injection-molded fiber-reinforced composite article using a molding machine controlled by a controlling module connected to the molding machine. The method performs a molding simulation executed on the controlling module to generate a shear rate distribution of the composite molding resin in a simulating domain. Subsequently, the method generates an orientation distribution of the fibers in the composite molding resin executed on the controlling module by taking into consideration an effect of the shear rate on an inter-fiber interaction and/or an effect of the shear rate on reducing a response rate of the fibers. A controller then controls the molding machine with the molding condition to perform an actual molding for injecting the composite molding resin into at least a portion of the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: CORETECH SYSTEM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huan Chang Tseng, Rong Yeu Chang, Chia Hsiang Hsu
  • Patent number: 9676158
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing a container (2) by stretch-blow molding in a mold (8) from a blank (3) of plastic material, which comprises the operations consisting of: measuring the pressure prevailing inside the blank (3) during a pre-blowing phase; detecting an instant corresponding to a local minimum pressure in the blank (3); placing in memory the instant at which said minimum pressure occurs as well as the corresponding pressure prevailing in the blank (3); comparing the instant and the pressure of the detected minimum with, respectively, a predetermined instant and pressure of a theoretical minimum pressure; if the measured minimum and the theoretical minimum do not coincide, ordering a modification of at least one of the following parameters: pre-blowing pressure, pre-blowing flow rate, stretching speed, heating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Thierry Deau, Julien Gendre, Isabelle Maillot
  • Patent number: 9449125
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for simulating a flow of fluid around a solid object comprises: defining straight lines between gravity points of elements in a solid object region and gravity points of elements in a fluid region; defining intersecting points of the straight lines with a boundary surface between the two regions; calculating distances between the intersecting points and the gravity points in the fluid region; and obtaining the shearing stress at the boundary surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya Tsunoda, Arjun Yadav
  • Patent number: 9180617
    Abstract: A plastic product manufacturing method includes (a) providing a cloud server which stores a machine number and machine parameters of an all-electric injection-molding machine that includes a controller; (b) downloading the machine parameters from the cloud server according to the machine number; (c) executing mold flow analysis software to generate model data and optimal injection conditions of a mold according to the machine parameters; (d) setting a mold number and a password to the model data and the optimal injection conditions and then storing the same in the cloud server after packaging; (e) connecting to the cloud server using the machine number, the mold number, and the password by the controller; (f) downloading the optimal injection conditions to the controller after the cloud server confirms the machine number, the mold number, and the password; and (g) driving the all-electric injection-molding machine by the controller according to the optimal injection conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ching-Hsiung Tsai, Yun-Feng Shiu
  • Publication number: 20150088277
    Abstract: A process variable transmitter for use in an industrial control or monitoring process is provided and includes a housing with a cavity formed therein. The housing includes an integrated terminal block which defines first and second compartments in the cavity. The transmitter further includes a process variable sensor configured to sense a process variable of the industrial process. Measurement circuitry is carried in the first compartment and configured to receive a process variable signal from the process variable sensor and provide an output. An electrical connection is carried on the integrated terminal block in the second compartment and is electrically coupled to the output of the measurement circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Andrew Perrault, Dirk Willy Bauschke, Loren Michael Engelstad
  • Patent number: 8892235
    Abstract: A method and system for producing a dental implant surgical guide is disclosed. A patient-specific virtual model is generated using image data specific to a patient and virtual dental implants. The virtual model aligns the image data with the virtual dental implants using modeling software. A virtual mold is generated from the virtual model, and a physical mold is generated from the virtual mold. The physical mold is covered with a thermoplastic sheet via a thermoforming process. Excess thermoplastic material is trimmed off after the thermoforming process to produce a thermoformed piece. Metal tubes corresponding to each the virtual dental implants are placed onto the physical mold denoting the position, trajectory, and depth of the one or more virtual dental implants. A dental implant surgical guide that contains the thermoformed piece with the one or more tubes is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Anatomage Inc.
    Inventors: Woncheol Choi, Jia Leung Jeff Mar
  • Patent number: 8798783
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a remote assistant system for a foundry, i.e., a plant that comprises a plurality of machines. The remote assistant system in a foundry includes a first sequencer for controlling a molding line and a second sequencer for controlling a molding machine. It further includes a sequencer-communicating mechanism for connecting the first sequencer to the second sequencer, a first mobile computer for transmitting information by video images, etc. to a remote location, a mechanism for providing communication between mobile computers to selectively connect one of the sequencers to the first mobile computer, a second mobile computer for receiving the information from the first mobile computer, for displaying the information, and for correcting the ladder logic program and giving instructions to the operator by an assistant at a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Niinomi, Yoshitake Kawamoto, Yasuhiro Miwa, Nobuaki Natsume, Kenji Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 8788084
    Abstract: The inflow of liquid metal into a continuous casting mold is set by a closure device. A measured actual meniscus value is fed to a controller determining a closure device target position on the basis of the actual and a corresponding target value. The measured actual value is fed to a disturbance variable compensator. The target position/corrected target position or a corresponding actual value are further fed to the disturbance variable compensator which determines the disturbance variable compensation value. The disturbance variable compensator has a model of the continuous casting mold for determining an expected value. A number of oscillating compensators determine a frequency disturbance proportion. The sum of the frequency disturbance proportions corresponds to the disturbance variable compensation value. The disturbance variable compensator has a jump determiner, by which it determines the jump compensation value by integrating the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Niemann, Bernhard Weisshaar
  • Publication number: 20140200710
    Abstract: A computer-implemented simulation method for use in molding process by a computer processor includes specifying a simulating domain having a mold cavity configured to connect a tube of a molding machine, creating a mesh by dividing at least part of the simulating domain, generating at least one flow parameter of a molding material in the tube, specifying boundary conditions of the mesh by taking into consideration the at least one flow parameter of the molding material, and simulating a molding process of the molding material that is injected into the mold cavity by using the boundary conditions to generate a plurality of molding conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: CORETECH SYSTEM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rong Yeu CHANG, Chia Hsiang HSU, Chuan Wei CHANG, Hsien Sen CHIU, Chao Tsai HUANG
  • Patent number: 8706284
    Abstract: A diagnostic system to diagnose a pressure profile of a molding machine M in an operating state is disclosed. The pressure profile of the molding machine M in the operating state is measured with a pressure sensor of a measurement system 3. In a diagnostic system A, a database is formed such that a reference pressure profile and the actual pressure profile selected according to a mold to be made are preserved therein. The diagnostic system A compares the reference pressure profile to the actual pressure profile in the database to determine whether the actual pressure profile is within a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8678803
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus for taking out a molded product that can inform a user of the air consumption and the electric power consumption matching the set conditions without using measuring devices and that allows the user to set conditions that reduces the total energy consumption. A consumption computing section computes an air consumption and an electric power consumption per one molding cycle based on conditions set for a plurality of air driven devices and conditions set for a plurality of electric devices input from a controller and individual air consumption information and individual electric power consumption information stored in a consumption information storage section. A display control section causes a display section to display the air consumption and the electric power consumption computed by the consumption computing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Yushin Precision Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Jo, Hidekazu Ito
  • Patent number: 8655481
    Abstract: An IMR (in-mold roller or in-mold release)/IMF (in-mold forming) making method using a digital printer printing and pre-forming technique is disclosed to employ a digital printing technique to prepare a release layer, a protective wear-resistance layer (durable layer), an ink pattern layer, a metal pattern layer and a bonding layer (adhesive layer). In-mold roller or in-mold forming film is shaped and then molded on a plastic material through an injection-molding or pressure-casting technique so that the finished product is obtained after release from the mold and removal of the outer base layer. Further, shaped in-mold decoration film is put in an injection-molding mold or pressure-casting mold for molding and then the molded product is cut into the desired shape, finishing the fabrication. Trimming process may be applied to the shaped in-mold forming film before injection molding or pressure casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Victor Shi-Yueh Sheu
  • Publication number: 20130261786
    Abstract: An automated process facilitates the fabrication-oriented design of a mold for an inflatable, deformable balloon. The automated process comprises a computational balloon design process that, given a desired shape of an inflated balloon, computes an optimal rest shape of the balloon that, when inflated, approximates the desired shape as closely as possible. In such a design process, the optimal rest shape of the balloon is solved for numerically using a physics-driven shape optimization method combining physical simulation of inflatable elastic membranes with a dedicated constrained optimization algorithm. Once the optimal rest shape is determined, a dip mold can be fabricated that is suitable for manufacturing balloons having such a rest shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Bernd BICKEL, BERNHARD THOMASZEWSKI, MELINA SKOURAS
  • Patent number: 8540915
    Abstract: Molds and processes that permit high-speed, mass production of retaining wall blocks having patterned or other processed front faces, as well as retaining wall blocks formed by such processes. The invention permits the front face of the block to be impressed with a pattern or otherwise directly processed, to allow the formation of pre-determined block front faces, while at the same time facilitating high-speed, high-volume production of blocks. A mirror image of the desired pattern can be created on a stripper shoe by selecting a desired three-dimensional surface from a naturally occurring or man made object and digitally scanning the selected three-dimensional pattern to create scanned data. The scanned data can then be used to machine a face of the stripper shoe that is the mirror image of the selected pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Scherer
  • Patent number: 8532814
    Abstract: A method for producing a vessel (2), involving: placing a preform (3) into the mold; at the pre-blowing cue (tp), controlling the opening of an electrovalve (22) for establishing communication between the preform (3) and a source (20) of gas at a predetermined pre-blowing pressure (Pp); measuring the pressure (P) inside the preform (3); at the blowing cue (tS), controlling the opening of an electrovalve (26) for establishing a communication between the preform (3) and a source (24) of a gas at a blowing pressure (PS) higher than the pre-blowing pressure (Pp); memorising the variations of the pressure (P) inside the preform (3) at least during the interval between the pre-blowing cue (tp) and the blowing cue (tS); detecting the expansion end moment (tC) from which the pressure in the preform (3) increases in a linear manner; and advancing the blowing cue (tS) according to the expansion end moment (tC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Isabelle Monin, Thierry Deau
  • Patent number: 8509942
    Abstract: Surface 27 of molten metal within a mold is constantly monitored by camera 25. Camera 25 records the surface from an obliquely upward position of the mold in an area that does not affect the casting process. Various analyzing frames such as analysis band 35, molten metal pattern 37, and injection monitoring part 43, are set with respect to the information recorded by the camera 25. The analysis band 35 includes the surface (molten metal part 31c), and is set to a predetermined width so that the direction of surface change is in the longitudinal direction. The width of the analysis band 35 is set as wide as possible in a range that does not block the discharge part (molten metal part 31a). Inside the analysis band 35, the rate of change of the binary data is calculated by the analyzing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Furukawa Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tomimatsu, Daisuke Nishide
  • Patent number: 8498727
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate the design, production, control and/or measurement tasks associated with manufacturing and other processes. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an understanding of how the multiple characteristics of a given process output are related to each other and to process inputs. It also facilitates an understanding of the sometimes complex interrelationships between design targets, design tolerances, process inputs, process control variables, average process output and variation in the process output. In one implementation, the present invention enables or facilitates the implementation of static and dynamic control systems in connection with manufacturing or other process. For example, in one implementation, the present invention provides a dynamic control system for manufacturing processes that is responsive to the observed output of a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Steve W. Tuszynski
  • Patent number: 8473093
    Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a network of nodes controls and senses the cure of a thermosetting plastic in a component that is made of fiber composite material. The network comprises multiple nodes, which are separated spatially from each other. Each of the nodes, respectively, comprises a heat transfer device for actively transferring thermal energy, a temperature sensor for taking local temperature measurements, and a processor. In each of the nodes, respectively: (a) the processor locally performs closed loop control over the temperature of the heat transfer device, and (b) the closed loop control is based at least in part on the local temperature measurements and on estimated or measured input current to the heat transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Nadya Peek, Kenneth Cheung, David Watson
  • Patent number: 8463584
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for interactively simulating an injection mold model. A three-dimensional CAD model is identified representing an injection mold cavity. The mold cavity includes a location of at least one gate. A potential fill pattern is determined for injection of a material into the injection mold cavity. The determined fill pattern is based at least in part on the geometry and dimensions of the modeled mold cavity and the location of the at least one gate. A strip model of the CAD model is generated based at least in part on the determined fill pattern. The strip model is used to perform a strip analysis simulating injection of the material within the injection mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventor: Huagang Yu
  • Patent number: 8463422
    Abstract: An extruder or injection molding machine with user-specifically monitoring and regulating processing of plastic materials includes a material feed, a plasticizer, and a mold. A process input variable, e.g. cost of the apparatus, raw material, power, and processed quantity, can be inputted with an input device and transmitted to a controller. A process monitoring variable, e.g. the duration of a product cycle, product cost, raw material used/power consumed per product cycle, expected purchase price for a given quantity of a product, and number of product cycles until maintenance, can be determined in real time from a process control variable and/or process input variable. A value of a process monitoring variable, such as the actual desired, or mean value, the value integrated since starting, the history or tendency of this value, can be outputted on an output device in form of a characteristic diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Betsche, Günther Grimm, Arno Wyrwoll
  • Publication number: 20130144422
    Abstract: A method and system for producing a dental implant surgical guide is disclosed. A patient-specific virtual model is generated using image data specific to a patient and virtual dental implants. The virtual model aligns the image data with the virtual dental implants using modeling software. A virtual mold is generated from the virtual model, and a physical mold is generated from the virtual mold. The physical mold is covered with a thermoplastic sheet via a thermoforming process. Excess thermoplastic material is trimmed off after the thermoforming process to produce a thermoformed piece. Metal tubes corresponding to each the virtual dental implants are placed onto the physical mold denoting the position, trajectory, and depth of the one or more virtual dental implants. A dental implant surgical guide that contains the thermoformed piece with the one or more tubes is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Woncheol Choi, Jia Leung Jeff Mar
  • Publication number: 20130103184
    Abstract: A molding machine is provided for easily setting molding conditions. Molding navigation is stored in a microcomputer portion for performing drive control of the molding machine. When the molding navigation is activated, a plurality of setting screens required for setting molding conditions are displayed in a predetermined sequence on a display portion, and in each of the displayed setting screens, setting item display fields to which the molding conditions are to be input are displayed in a color different from the surrounding. An operator inputs predetermined setting values in the displayed sequence in the setting item display fields displayed in the color different from the surrounding. Thereby, the setting of the molding conditions can be completed. All molding conditions required for operating the molding machine can be set exhaustively, and the setting of the molding conditions can be performed highly efficiently and reliably, without special skills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: TOYO MACHINERY & METAL CO LTD
    Inventors: Tatsunori Morikawa, Eiji Kiyota, Hiromichi Kuroda, Sachiko Shimotani, Kenji Fujii
  • Patent number: 8417371
    Abstract: The novel invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling one or more machines or a production cell with repeatable sequences using a machine controller, and to an operating unit in the form of a man-machine interface (MMI). The novel invention proposes making at least some of the operative control inputs for machine movement using haptic keys which can be programmed for their function and are applied to a screen and/or tactile touchscreen keys which can be seen and sensed, for example with an edge which can be sensed, with a respective associated screen field. The operator is thus provided with a guide function for operation, whether by the fact that he haptically senses the keystroke, for example via snap domes, or by the fact that he only tactually feels an edge around the screen key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Netstal-Maschinen AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Werfeli, Jens Hutter
  • Patent number: 8417365
    Abstract: A system includes an encoding module and a decoding module. The encoding module generates a three-dimensional (3D) model of a part, modifies the 3D model to include a 3D structure, and generates a computer-aided design (CAD) file based on the modified 3D model. The decoding module determines whether the CAD file includes the 3D structure, authorizes operation of analysis software on the CAD file when the CAD file includes the 3D structure, and prohibits operation of the analysis software when the CAD file does not include the 3D structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Paul N. Crepeau, Qigui Wang
  • Patent number: 8412362
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for electronically controlling the movement of a pin assembly used in a valve gate mechanism of an injection molding machine. The system of the present invention includes at least one valve which is part of an injection molding machine, as well as a graphical user interface which is operable for controlling the injection molding machine and the valve. Additionally, the present invention also includes controlling the injection molding machine electronically for improving the control over the opening and closing of the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Plastic Engineering & Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorne Yeager, Lance Roman
  • Patent number: 8295971
    Abstract: A computer program, system and method receives a customer's CAD file of a custom part to be formed. Depending upon customer responses to several basic queries, the CAD file is analyzed to identify acceptable holes for tapping. For each identified hole, an appropriate and available thread size is automatically selected, even if the cylindrical recess differs in size from the characteristic size of the threaded hole. The customer is then automatically advised 10 of the results of the tapping analysis, preferably as part of a quotation for part manufacture that identifies the number of threaded holes in the part and preferably identifies the changes to the tapped holes and the specific thread form being quoted for the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Proto Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Krantz
  • Patent number: 8292607
    Abstract: The powder compression molding machine includes: a case having a frame; a fresh air intake provided to the case; a suction port for drawing in an atmosphere in the case; an internal pressure measure that measures internal pressure in the case; a suction force measure that measures a suction force for drawing in the atmosphere in the case from the suction port; and a suction force control device that controls the suction force for drawing in the atmosphere in the case from the suction port. The internal pressure in the case is controlled by controlling the suction force by the suction force controller based on the internal pressure in the case measured by the internal pressure measure and/or the suction force measured by the suction force measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kikusui Seisakusho Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Oyama, Katsuhito Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 8165714
    Abstract: A single stand alone controller system (100) for controlling combination of hot-runner system (102) and mold assembly (104), assembly (104) connectable to system (102), controller system (100) comprising: processor (110); interface modules (112) configured to operatively couple to system (102) and assembly (104), processor (110) connected with modules (112); and controller-usable medium (114) embodying instructions (116) executable by processor (110), processor (110) connected with said medium (114), instructions (116) including: executable instructions for directing said processor (110) to control said system (102) and said assembly (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Angelo Mier, Keith Carlton, David Scott Rotondo
  • Patent number: 8135492
    Abstract: A method of making a surgical template used for a computer-guided dental implant surgery includes the steps of: establishing implant planning data of a patient's jaw, producing a digital plaster model of the patient's jaw, allowing the digital plaster model to have the implant planning data, integrating the digital plaster model with the implant planning data to obtain a digital machining data, holding and machining a modeling block at a machining position according to the digital machining data to form a solid jaw model corresponding to the patient's jaw and having teeth, gums, and at least one implant-position indicating structure, mounting a positioning member at the implant-position indicating structure, and producing a negative template body from an assembly of the solid jaw model and the positioning member with a thermoplastic dental material by a molding process or a vacuum forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Pou Yu Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Tzong Yau, Chuan-Chu Kuo, Jiun-Ren Chen, Chun-Chun Yang, Chien-An Chen, Ying-Li Chen
  • Patent number: 8128851
    Abstract: Molds and processes that permit high-speed, mass production of retaining wall blocks having patterned or other processed front faces, as well as retaining wall blocks formed by such processes. The invention permits the front face of the block to be impressed with a pattern or otherwise directly processed, to allow the formation of pre-determined block front faces, while at the same time facilitating high-speed, high-volume production of blocks. A mirror image of the desired pattern can be created on a stripper shoe by selecting a desired three-dimensional surface from a naturally occurring or man made object and digitally scanning the selected three-dimensional pattern to create scanned data. The scanned data can then be used to machine a face of the stripper shoe that is the mirror image of the selected pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Scherer
  • Patent number: 8121710
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for electronically controlling the movement of a pin assembly used in a valve gate mechanism of an injection molding machine. The system of the present invention includes at least one valve which is part of an injection molding machine, as well as a graphical user interface which is operable for controlling the injection molding machine and the valve. Additionally, the present invention also includes controlling the injection molding machine electronically for improving the control over the opening and closing of the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Plastic Engineering & Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorne Yeager, Lance Roman
  • Publication number: 20120041588
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a remote assistant system for a foundry, i.e., a plant that comprises a plurality of machines. The remote assistant system in a foundry includes a first sequencer for controlling a molding line and a second sequencer for controlling a molding machine. It further includes a sequencer-communicating means for connecting the first sequencer to the second sequencer, a first mobile computer for transmitting information by video images, etc., to a remote location, a means for providing communication between mobile computers to selectively connect one of the sequencers to the first mobile computer, a second mobile computer for receiving the information from the first mobile computer, for displaying the information, and for correcting the ladder logic program and giving instructions to the operator by an assistant at a remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Niinomi, Yoshitake Kawamoto, Yasuhiro Miwa, Nobuaki Natsume, Kenji Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 8095348
    Abstract: A model creation portion having a obstacle in a space includes two creation portions, one is to separate them and another is to combine them which handles, as porous media, an obstacle in which narrow spaces are regularly arranged. A thermosets flow analysis portion includes two analysis portions to separate and combine them, each of them has a viscosity equation for thermosets. The space/obstacle separation analysis portion analyzes by combining the viscosity equation with conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy, and the space/obstacle combination analysis portion analyzes by combining the viscosity equation with a conservation equation directed to a shape simplified as porous media. Resin flow behavior is analyzed while data in an interface between two models is delivered to each other, to accurately predict filling behavior at the time of injecting resin of thermosets molded articles having the complex obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Saeki, Tsutomu Kono