Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080217818 | Stereolithographic Apparatus - An improved stereolithography apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects using multiple chambered resin vats and a quick disconnect mounting system to permit concurrent use of multiple photopolymer build materials and easy change over of resin vats is disclosed. The apparatus permits easy change over from multiple chambered vat use to single chamber vat use and vice versa or change over between multiple chambered vats. | 09-11-2008 |
20080230957 | Device for Transforming Materials Using Induction Heating - A device for transforming thermoplastic matrix composite materials or thermosetting materials, includes two mold casings that are mobile relative to each other, electrically conductive, and include a molding zone designed to be in contact with the material to be transformed. The faces of one of the two mold casings are situated so as to be facing magnetic field generator, except for the molding zones, and are coated with a shielding layer made of a non-magnetic material preventing the magnetic field from penetrating into the mold casings. The mold casings are electrically insulated from each other during the molding phase so that the faces of the two mold casings demarcate an air gap wherein flows the magnetic field that induces currents at the surface of the molding zones thus localizing the heating at the interface between the molding zone and the material to be transformed. | 09-25-2008 |
20080258345 | Liquid Radiation-Curing Compositions - The present invention relates to liquid radiation-curing compositions having flexible and elastic material properties in the cured state, consisting of the following components: a) from 5.0 to 99.0% by weight of a di- or polyfunctional polyether (meth)-acrylate compound having a molecular weight of more than 1000 g/mol; b) from 1.00 to 90.0% by weight of a mono-, di- or polyfunctional radiation-curing (meth)acrylate compound having a molecular weight of less than 1000 g/mol as a reactive component or reactive thinner or cross-linking agent for the formation of polymer networks; c) from 0.05 to 10.0% by weight of a free-radical forming photoinitiator; d) from 0.001 to 5.0% by weight of further components; with the proviso that the sum of components a) to d) amounts to 100% by weight. Further, the present invention relates to products obtainable from the compositions according to the invention, and processes for the preparation, treatment and use of three-dimensional shaped objects made from the compositions according to the invention. | 10-23-2008 |
20080315461 | Rapid Prototyping Apparatus and Method of Rapid Prototyping - The invention relates to a method of illuminating at least one rapid prototyping medium (RPM) wherein said illuminating is performed by at least two simultaneous individually modulated light beams (IMLB) projected onto said rapid prototyping medium (RPM) and wherein said rapid prototyping medium is illuminated with light beams (IMLB) having at least two different wavelength contents (WLC | 12-25-2008 |
20090014916 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE - The present invention aims to produce a three-dimensional structure having a high aspect ratio by using inkjet printing techniques or the like. Specifically, a three-dimensional structure is produced by ejecting a liquid drop of a solution, which contains a solvent and polymer particles dispersed in the solvent while having a viscosity of not more than 100 cps, from a nozzle onto a substrate; then evaporating the solvent and melting the polymer particles by irradiating the liquid drop with light; and then depositing the molten polymer particles on the substrate. The present invention can be applied to production of biochips and the like. | 01-15-2009 |
20090014917 | Drop Pattern Generation for Imprint Lithography - Generating a fluid drop pattern for an imprint lithography process includes selecting an imprinting surface and generating a fluid drop pattern including drop locations for placement of a multiplicity of drops of substantially equal volume on an imprint lithography substrate. The fluid drop pattern is generated through one or more modified Lloyd's method iterations. The fluid drop pattern allows substantially complete filling of imprinting surface features and formation of a substantially uniform residual layer during the imprint lithography process. | 01-15-2009 |
20090020919 | METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PRODUCING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS BY MEANS OF SUCCESSIVE LAYER DEPOSITION - Inventive machine allowing the simultaneous fabrication of several objects by a method of “rapid prototyping” type, by depositing a succession of layers of heat-fusible fluid. | 01-22-2009 |
20090020920 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING THREE DIMENSIONAL OBJECT - A three-dimensional object forming apparatus forms a three-dimensional object by binding powder particles with a curable liquid. The apparatus includes a powder layer forming unit that spreads a powder to a uniform thickness to form a powder layer. A curable liquid ejection head ejects the curable liquid to the powder layer through an ejection nozzle. A sectional data producing device produces sectional data at each of a plurality of cross sections of a desired three-dimensional object according to shape data of the desired three-dimensional object. A cross-sectional member forming section is also included by which cross-sectional members are formed by ejecting the curable liquid to the powder layer from the curable liquid ejection head according to the sectional data and thus binding the powder layer. The cross-sectional member forming section includes a permeation rate controller controlling the permeation rate of the curable liquid to the powder layer. | 01-22-2009 |
20090072447 | Region-Based Supports for Parts Produced by Solid Freeform Fabrication - Methods for generating supports ( | 03-19-2009 |
20090085255 | PHOTO NANOIMPRINT LITHOGRAPHY - The present invention is directed to providing a photo nanoimprint lithography which can form a more uniform base layer. A photo nanoimprint lithography according to the present invention includes the steps of discretely applying a photo-curable resist drop-wise onto a substrate, filling an asperity pattern of a mold with the photo-curable resist by bringing the mold having the asperity pattern formed therein into contact with the photo-curable resist, curing the photo-curable resist by irradiating the resist with a light and releasing from the mold the photo-curable resist which has been photo-cured, wherein an intermediary layer is formed on a surface of the substrate for maintaining a discrete placement of the photo-curable resist that has been instilled drop-wise on the substrate until the mold is brought into contact with the photo-curable resist that has been instilled drop-wise on the substrate. | 04-02-2009 |
20090085256 | IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS - The image forming method forms a three-dimensional shape on a medium by stacking up a plurality of droplets of liquid on a same droplet deposition point on the medium. The method includes the steps of: depositing a first droplet of the liquid onto the medium; then solidifying the first droplet while carrying out a process whereby an upper surface of the first droplet assumes a depressed shape; and then depositing a second droplet of the liquid onto the first droplet. | 04-02-2009 |
20090085257 | Method for Producing Three-Dimensional Objects Using Segmental Prototyping - The method for manufacturing large three-dimensional objects of the present invention comprises the following steps: obtaining a three-dimensional shape data for a three-dimensional target object; converting the three-dimensional shape data into a size needed for manufacturing; transforming the size-converted data into a “shell” data (i.e., data of a hallow target object having a cavity therein); dividing the “shell” data into shell segments of such a size that can be manufactured by a rapid prototyping apparatus; prototyping each of the “shell” segments by a rapid prototyping apparatus to manufacture each of prototyped parts; assembling the prototyped parts to produce a prototype of the target three-dimensional shape object. | 04-02-2009 |
20090102098 | GAS SHIELDING STRUCTURE FOR USE IN SOLID FREE FORM FABRICATION SYSTEMS - A solid free form fabrication (SFF) system and method is used to fabricate a three-dimensional structure in a continuous manner from successive layers of feedstock material. The system includes a gas shielding structure that is configured to protect a targeted region from oxidation. The system further includes a positioning arm coupled to the deposition head and moveable to align the deposition head with a targeted region of the three-dimensional structure and a plurality of control components coupled to the positioning arm for controlling a position of the positioning arm and operation of the deposition head. The gas shielding structure is formed as either a parallelepiped structure or a half disc structure and may be conformable to at least one surface of the three-dimensional structure. | 04-23-2009 |
20090115110 | Drop Pattern Generation for Imprint Lithography - Generating a fluid drop pattern for an imprint lithography process includes selecting an imprinting surface with features and generating a fluid drop pattern including drop locations for placement of a multiplicity of drops of substantially equal volume on an imprint lithography substrate such that some of the drops are substantially aligned with at least some of the features. The fluid drop pattern is generated through an optimization process. The fluid drop pattern allows substantially complete filling of imprinting surface features and formation of a substantially uniform residual layer during the imprint lithography process. | 05-07-2009 |
20090146344 | Process and freeform fabrication system for producing a three-dimensional object - The present invention provides a process for producing at least one three-dimensional object, comprising: providing a material to be solidified; delivering electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation in a pattern or an image to a building region for solidifying said material; wherein said delivering of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is performed selectively to a defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; and wherein an energy density of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is controlled and/or adjusted in a border region of said pattern or image and/or is varied in border regions of patterns or images of different building regions of said material, to have an energy density different from the building region other than said border region(s), wherein the controlling and/or adjustment is dependent on, alone or in combination: (a) intensity of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation delivered to said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; (b) total shape or contour shape of said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; (c) size of said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; and (d) material to be solidified. A device is provided likewise. | 06-11-2009 |
20090179355 | METHODS FOR MULTI-MATERIAL STEREOLITHOGRAPHY - Methods and systems of stereolithography for building cost-efficient and time-saving multi-material, multi-functional and multi-colored prototypes, models and devices configured for intermediate washing and curing/drying is disclosed including: laser(s), liquid and/or platform level sensing system(s), controllable optical system(s), moveable platform(s), elevator platform(s), recoating system(s) and at least one polymer retaining receptacle. Multiple polymer retaining receptacles may be arranged in a moveable apparatus, wherein each receptacle is adapted to actively/passively maintain a uniform, desired level of polymer by including a recoating device and a material fill/remove system. The platform is movably accessible to the polymer retaining receptacle(s), elevator mechanism(s) and washing and curing/drying area(s) which may be housed in a shielded enclosure(s). The elevator mechanism is configured to vertically traverse and rotate the platform, thus providing angled building, washing and curing/drying capabilities. A horizontal traversing mechanism may be included to facilitate manufacturing between components of SL cabinet(s) and/or alternative manufacturing technologies. | 07-16-2009 |
20090184444 | OPTICAL MOLDING APPARATUS AND OPTCIAL MOLDING METHOD - An optical molding apparatus molds a three-dimensional model by stacking cured layers. Each cured layer is formed by emitting light according to cross-sectional-shape data of the three-dimensional model onto a surface of photo-curable resin. The optical molding apparatus includes a container that contains the photo-curable resin, a movable stage that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the photo-curable resin, an optical system that emits the light onto the surface of the photo-curable resin contained in the container so as to form each cured layer on the movable stage, and a discharging mechanism that performs a discharging operation for discharging new photo-curable resin onto a surface of each cured layer formed on the movable stage before stacking a subsequent cured layer. | 07-23-2009 |
20090200709 | Full-Wafer or Large Area Imprinting with Multiple Separated Sub-Fields for High Throughput Lithography - A layer on a substrate is formed using an imprint lithography system. The layer is formed by providing a plurality of flowable regions on the substrate, spreading material in the flowable regions, and contacting the regions with a plurality of imprint lithography molds that are disposed on a template. | 08-13-2009 |
20090206520 | Photosensitive composition, microfabrication method using the same, and microfabricated structure thereof - Disclosed herein may be a photosensitive composition, a microfabricated structure including the same, a device including the microfabricated structure, and methods of fabricating the microfabricated structure and the device. The photosensitive composition, including a multifunctional photosensitive resin, a two-photon photosensitizer, an organic solvent, and a silver compound, may be subjected to two- or three-dimensional microfabrication, thus realizing the microfabricated structure containing silver nanoparticles. | 08-20-2009 |
20090243156 | METHOD OF PHOTOFABRICATION - An object of the present invention is to provide an optical molding method that is capable of taking out the model shape of an optically-molded object with high accuracy, and capable of performing molding with high accuracy even when a shape having a fine structure or a microstructure is molded. An optical molding method to form a three-dimension shape object in which cured resin layers are laminated and integrated includes forming a cured resin layer of a photo-curable composition by irradiating a photo-curable composition layer with light, forming the photo-curable composition layer again above the cured resin layer, forming further a cured resin layer of the photo-curable composition by radiating a light, and repeating these steps, wherein the photo-curable composition layer is formed by applying a photo-curable resin composition containing resin, an ethylenic unsaturated compound, and an organic solvent above a base material or above the cured resin layer formed above the base material, and removing the organic solvent contained in the photo-curable resin composition, and wherein the three-dimension shape object is formed by removing the photo-curable composition that is not cured in the cured resin layers after the formation of all the cured resin layers is completed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090256284 | Method for producing ceramic stereolithography parts - In addition to working curves, other equally important, but previously not understood, relationships exist for both the green strength and the cured line width of ceramic-loaded resins. These characteristics of cured parts are strongly affected by the dose rate, a parameter usually controlled with laser power. Multiple smaller doses are used to produce a total integrated dose. Multiple exposures benefit from using high power to produce a fast process. However, since the dose for a given layer is broken into several smaller doses, the negative effect of high power on strength and cured linewidth is reduced. | 10-15-2009 |
20090261512 | STEREOLITHOGRAPHY APPARATUS AND STEREOLITHOGRAPHY METHOD - A stereolithography apparatus that forms a three-dimensional model by sequentially laminating cured resin layers through repetition of a cycle of selectively applying light to liquid photocurable resin to form a cured resin layer, further applying liquid photocurable resin on the cured resin layer, and applying light to form a cured resin layer. The apparatus includes a table, a dispenser to supply the liquid photocurable resin onto the table, a recoater to apply the photocurable resin, and a controller to slow down a moving speed of the recoater based on a moving distance of the recoater during application operation of the recoater. | 10-22-2009 |
20090267269 | Selective Deposition Modeling Using CW UV LED Curing - A continuous-wave (CW) ultraviolet (UV) curing system for solid freeform fabrication (SFF) is provided, wherein the curing system is configured to provide an exposure of UV radiation for one or more layers of UV-curable material. One or more UV exposures may initiate curing of a curable material in the layer dispensed by a solid freeform fabrication apparatus. One approach to provide the single or multiple UV exposures is the use of one or more UV LEDs, which generate UV radiation without generating any substantial amounts of infrared (IR) radiation at the same time. This allows for the curing process to be energy efficient and also allows for the SFF system to be far less complex. | 10-29-2009 |
20090273122 | Liquefier assembly for use in extrusion-based digital manufacturing systems - A liquefier assembly comprising a liquefier tube, where the liquefier tube comprises a sidewall having an inlet opening configured to receive a filament strand, an outlet opening, and a port disposed through the sidewall at a location between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, the port being configured to provide access for a filament drive mechanism to engage with the received filament strand. The liquefier assembly further comprises a heat transfer component configured to generate a thermal gradient along a longitudinal length of the sidewall between the port and the outlet opening. | 11-05-2009 |
20090295039 | Device for layerwise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object - An apparatus for layerwise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object ( | 12-03-2009 |
20090321995 | Method for making, positioning and securing dummy elements in models tested in wind tunnels - The dummy elements ( | 12-31-2009 |
20100001437 | METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR REDUCING WASTE IN PHOTO-IMAGING APPLICATIONS - Waste reduction, including hazardous waste reduction in photoimaging processes can be accomplished by improving diffusional resolution of cationic curable compositions. In preferred embodiments stereolithographic articles are formed with a reduced production of waste by forming an article from a cationic composition; removing excess composition from the formed article using an air knife or liquid C0 | 01-07-2010 |
20100052222 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CREATING THREE-DIMENSIONAL HOLLOW OBJECTS FROM RADIATION CURABLE RESIN - A device for forming hollow three-dimensional objects from radiation curable resin includes a light container having an interlocking base and a pivotal lid with cooperating interior surfaces forming a light chamber. An interior surface of the pivotal lid has a light source attached thereto directing light toward an interior surface of the interlocking base. A multi-axis rotating mechanism, such as a gyroscope, is positioned within the light container, the gyroscope having moving rings. A translucent three-dimensional mold capsule is removably secured to the multi-axis rotating mechanism, wherein a radiation curable resin is inserted in to the mold capsule. The associated method includes providing a translucent mold capsule with a hollow interior chamber; filling the translucent mold capsule with an amount of radiation curable resin sufficient to coat an interior surface of the hollow interior chamber of the translucent mold capsule; sealing the translucent mold capsule to contain the radiation curable resin within the hollow interior chamber; inserting and attaching the translucent mold capsule into a multi-axis rotating mechanism; positioning the multi-axis rotating mechanism within a light container having an interlocking base and lid and light source; activating the light source; setting the multi-axis rotating mechanism in motion for a period of time; removing the translucent mold capsule from the multi-axis rotating mechanism; and removing the hollow three-dimensional object so formed from the translucent mold capsule. | 03-04-2010 |
20100127432 | METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF CANDLES - Method for production of candles wherein at least two fuel components are mixed together which before mixing each have a different temperature and which are the same or different in chemical composition. The first fuel component has a high temperature, wherein this is too plastic or fluid to be able to be processed or packed as a candle. The second fuel component has a lower temperature and is preferably granular whereby this functions as a cooling means to bring the first fuel component to hardening or setting. | 05-27-2010 |
20100127433 | Methods and Systems for Integrating Fluid Dispensing Technology With Stereolithography - An integrated system and method of integrating fluid dispensing technologies (e.g., direct-write (DW)) with rapid prototyping (RP) technologies (e.g., stereolithography (SL)) without part registration comprising: an SL apparatus and a fluid dispensing apparatus further comprising a translation mechanism adapted to translate the fluid dispensing apparatus along the Z-, Y- and Z-axes. The fluid dispensing apparatus comprises: a pressurized fluid container; a valve mechanism adapted to control the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid container; and a dispensing nozzle adapted to deposit the fluid in a desired location. To aid in calibration, the integrated system includes a laser sensor and a mechanical switch. The method further comprises building a second part layer on top of the fluid deposits and optionally accommodating multi-layered circuitry by incorporating a connector trace. Thus, the present invention is capable of efficiently building single and multi-material SL fabricated parts embedded with complex three-dimensional circuitry using DW. | 05-27-2010 |
20100140849 | EXTRUSION-BASED LAYERED DEPOSITION SYSTEMS USING SELECTIVE RADIATION EXPOSURE - A system for building a three-dimensional object based on build data representing the three-dimensional object, the system comprising an extrusion head configured to deposit a radiation-curable material in consecutive layers, where the radiation-curable material of each of the consecutive layers is in a self-supporting state, and a radiation source configured to selectively expose a portion of at least one of the consecutive layers to radiation in accordance with the build data. | 06-10-2010 |
20100140850 | Compositions for 3D printing - Described is a composition for solid freeform fabrication (SFF) at a given dispensing temperature. The composition comprises: a curable component having a monofunctional (meth)acrylic functional group; a photo-initiator, and a sulfur-containing additive. The viscosity of the composition, as measured at the given dispensing temperature, changes by no more than 3 cps during 30 days of aging at 40° C. | 06-10-2010 |
20100156003 | Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing System and Method - A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way how communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat. | 06-24-2010 |
20100193998 | INORGANIC IONIC SUPPORT MATERIALS FOR DIGITAL MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS - A support material for use with a digital manufacturing system, the support material comprising at least one inorganic ionic compound and is configured to be deposited with the digital manufacturing system using a layer-based additive technique to form a support structure for supporting at least one overhanging region of a three-dimensional model built with the digital manufacturing system. | 08-05-2010 |
20100201039 | METHOD OF PREPARING A FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING FORME - A method of making a flexographic printing forme includes the steps of: (1) providing a flexographic support; (2) applying a powder layer on said the support; (3) imagewise jetting a curable composition on the powder layer; (4) at least partially curing the jetted curable composition; (5) repeating steps (2) to (4) until the total thickness of the powder layers is greater than 100 μm; (6) removal of the powder not embedded in the imagewise jetted and at least partially cured composition; and (7) optionally overall post curing. | 08-12-2010 |
20100230862 | MEDICAL DEVICES - Medical devices and related methods are disclosed. | 09-16-2010 |
20100264566 | RAPID FABRICATION OF A MICROELECTRONIC TEMPORARY SUPPORT FOR INORGANIC SUBSTRATES - A method for fabricating a rigid temporary support used for supporting inorganic substrates during processing includes providing an inorganic substrate comprising a first surface to be processed and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Next, applying a liquid layer to the second surface of the inorganic substrate and then curing the applied liquid layer and thereby forming a rigid temporary support attached to the second surface of the inorganic substrate. Next, processing the first surface of the inorganic substrate while supporting the inorganic substrate upon the rigid temporary support. The curing includes first exposing the applied liquid layer to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and then performing a post exposure bake (PEB) at a temperature sufficient to complete the curing of the applied liquid layer and to promote outgassing of substances. | 10-21-2010 |
20100270708 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS - The invention concerns a method for producing three-dimensional objects ( | 10-28-2010 |
20100270709 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In an immersion lithography apparatus, the immersion liquid is supplied from a tank via a flow restrictor. The liquid held in the tank is maintained at a substantially constant height above the flow restrictor to ensure a constant flow of liquid. | 10-28-2010 |
20100283188 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE GENERATIVE PRODUCTION OF A SHAPED BODY HAVING NON-PLANAR LAYERS - The present invention relates to a method for the generative production of a shaped body ( | 11-11-2010 |
20100308507 | METHOD OF PRODUCING RESIN MOLDED ARTICLE - Provided is a method of producing a resin molded article which hardly involves the occurrence of optical distortion and of sink marks. The method of producing a resin molded article includes: a first step including pouring a polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer into a molding die and irradiating the polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer with radiant energy rays until a polymerization conversion degree reaches 1 to 10% to polymerize a part of the polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer; and a second step including heating the polymerized polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer after the first step in a state where the polymerized polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer is held in the molding die to further polymerize a remaining part of the polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer until the polymerization conversion degree reaches 60% or more. | 12-09-2010 |
20100320648 | LAYERWISE PRODUCTION METHOD AND ILLUMINATION SYSTEM FOR USE THEREIN - An illumination system for use in a system ( | 12-23-2010 |
20100327493 | DUAL PHOTOINITIATOR, PHOTOCURABLE COMPOSITION, USE THEREOF AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A THREE DIMENSIONAL ARTICLE - The present invention is directed to a photoinitiator composition comprising two different cationic photoinitiators and a photocurable composition comprising said photoinitiator composition. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of the photoinitiator composition and the photocurable composition. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for producing a three dimensional article. | 12-30-2010 |
20110001272 | OPTICAL MOLDING APPARATUS AND OPTICAL MOLDING METHOD - An optical molding apparatus molds a three-dimensional model by stacking cured layers. Each cured layer is formed by emitting light according to cross-sectional-shape data of the three-dimensional model onto a surface of photo-curable resin. The optical molding apparatus includes a container that contains the photo-curable resin, a movable stage that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the photo-curable resin, an optical system that emits the light onto the surface of the photo-curable resin contained in the container so as to form each cured layer on the movable stage, and a discharging mechanism that performs a discharging operation for discharging new photo-curable resin onto a surface of each cured layer formed on the movable stage before stacking a subsequent cured layer. | 01-06-2011 |
20110006459 | POLYMER OBJECT OPTICAL FABRICATION PROCESS - High-volume mass-production and customization of complex three-dimensional polymer and polymer-derived-ceramic microstructures are manufactured in a single step directly from three dimensional computer models. A projection based non-degenerate two-photon induced photopolymerization method overcomes the drawbacks of conventional one and two-photon fabrication methods. The structure includes dual, synchronized, high-peak power, pulsed femtosecond and picosecond lasers combined with spatial light modulation. Applications include high-resolution rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing with an emphasis on fabrication of various Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices, especially in the area of MEMS packaging. | 01-13-2011 |
20110042858 | METHOD OF MAKING MOLDS WITH PRODUCTION READY SURFACES - Disclosed herein are methods of making a mold having a production-ready surface as defined herein. One disclosed method comprises creating an expanded geometric computer model of a mold. A physical model of the mold is produced based on the expanded geometric computer model using a material that disintegrates at sufficient temperature. A ceramic cast from the physical model is created, and then a molten metal is poured into the ceramic cast, thereby disintegrating the physical model. The molten metal is cooled and the ceramic cast is removed from the cooled metal to reveal the mold having the production-ready surface. | 02-24-2011 |
20110042859 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING - A process for forming a three-dimensional article in sequential layers in accordance with a digital model of the article. The process comprises the steps of defining a layer of a first liquid, applying a second liquid to the first liquid layer in a pattern corresponding to the digital model, and repeating these steps to form successive layers. The first liquid comprises a first active component and the second liquid includes a second active component capable of reacting with the first reactive component so that the article is built up in layers. | 02-24-2011 |
20110049767 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR RESIN LEVEL MAINTENANCE IN A STEREO-LITHOGRAPHY DEVICE - A system includes a stereo-lithography device having a primary fluid vessel having an amount of a photo-curable fluid therein. The system includes a leveling reservoir fluidly coupled to the primary fluid vessel, where a fluid level in the leveling reservoir is vertically positionable. The system further includes a controller that maintains a pre-determined level of the photo-curable fluid in the primary fluid vessel by vertically positioning the fluid level in the leveling reservoir. | 03-03-2011 |
20110062633 | PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT WITH AN IMPROVED SEPARATION OF HARDENED MATERIAL LAYERS FROM A CONSTRUCTION PLANE - The invention relates to a process or a device for the production of a three-dimensional object by layer-wise solidification of a photo-polymerizable resin by means of a planar or essentially planar construction/reference plane, at which the photo-polymerizable resin contained in the liquid material is to be hardened by electromagnetic irradiation, and wherein the material application for the subsequent layer automatically results from the separation of the last hardened layer from the construction/-reference plane, whereby the construction/reference plane is formed by an elastic film. The film is fixed in a frame, and the height position of the frame with the film is adjusted in a basin containing the liquid material such that the pressure of the liquid material compensates the sagging of the film (formation of a negative meniscus), and that the lower side of the film is permanently in contact with the material during the whole construction process. | 03-17-2011 |
20110089610 | Resin Solidification Substrate and Assembly - A solidification substrate assembly for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material includes a solidification substrate assembly. In certain examples, the solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the solidification substrate, and the tilting of the substrate and/or or the use of a peeling member facilitates separation of the substrate from the solidified material. In other examples, the solidification substrate assembly includes a film that is adjacent to a rigid or semi-rigid layer. The solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the film, and a peeling member peels the film away from the solidified material. Intelligent solidification substrate assemblies are also described in which a force sensor determines when to expose the solidifiable material to solidification energy and/or whether to use a peeling member to separate the solidification substrate from a solidified objection section. | 04-21-2011 |
20110101569 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL STEREOLITHOGRAPHY APPARATUS, THREE-DIMENSIONAL STEREOLITHOGRAPHY METHOD, AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT - A three-dimensional stereolithography apparatus includes a stage, a support mechanism to support a film so that the film is opposed to the stage, a pressing mechanism, a supply mechanism, an irradiation unit, a movement mechanism, and a control mechanism. The pressing mechanism presses at least a linear area of the film so that the linear area closest to the stage is formed in the film. The supply mechanism supplies a light-curing material into a slit area formed between the stage and the linear area. The irradiation unit irradiates the light-curing material supplied into the slit area with laser light through the pressing mechanism and the film. The movement mechanism moves the stage and the pressing mechanism relatively to the film, to form one cured layer of the light-curing material. The control mechanism controls a distance between the stage and the linear area of the film, to stack the cured layer. | 05-05-2011 |
20110101570 | Device and Method for Producing a Three-Dimensional Object by Means of Mask Exposure - The invention describes device and method for producing a three-dimensional object by solidifying a solidifiable material under an action of electromagnetic radiation by means of energy input via an imaging unit comprising a predetermined number of discrete imaging elements (pixels). The energy input related to a specific cross-sectional area of the three-dimensional object is controlled by exposure by means of multiple successive raster masks (bitmaps; e.g. bitmap | 05-05-2011 |
20110121491 | Method For Manufacturing Three-Dimensional Objects and Machine Employing Said Method - Method for manufacturing three-dimensional objects (W) consisting of superimposed layers (L) of a base material (M), liquid at ambient temperature and capable of solidifying permanently following a stimulating action, comprising the following operations: spreading a layer (L | 05-26-2011 |
20110121492 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT - Method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to which the object is built layer-wise by solidification of a building material, wherein a test specimen is built which is excited to oscillate after being built and wherein natural frequencies of the oscillations are determined. | 05-26-2011 |
20110169196 | FORMING METHOD AND THREE DIMENSIONAL OBJECT - A forming method includes: drawing, using a liquid which has a light curable property and a non-water-soluble property in a cured state, a sectional pattern of a three dimensional object which is a forming target on a water-soluble recording medium which has acceptability for the liquid; sequentially irradiating, after a different recording medium on which the sectional pattern is drawn is overlapped with the recording medium on which the sectional pattern is drawn, at least the sectional pattern on the different recording medium over the plurality of recording mediums, with light; and dissolving areas outside the sectional patterns in the stacked plurality of recording mediums using a liquid which includes water, after the irradiating. | 07-14-2011 |
20110180971 | Method for the Production of Heavily Inclined Surfaces in Layers - The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a product in layers, said method comprising the following steps: (a) applying a layer of a curable material, (b) selectively curing predetermined zones of the applied layer on the basis of geometrical data of the product, (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until the geometry of the product has been created in the form of cured material and (d) removing the uncured material. According to the invention, a finish allowance, for example one with a wedge-shaped cross-section, is applied in steps (a) and (b), in one, two or more product sections in which an angle (α) between an axis perpendicular to the layers and at least one surface section of a contour of the product exceeds a predetermined value, to said surface section in such a way that the angle (β) between the axis perpendicular to the layers and the external surface in said product section does not exceed said predetermined value. | 07-28-2011 |
20110215506 | MOLDING METHOD AND MOLDING APPARATUS - A molding method includes: drawing cross-section elements of a three-dimensional object as a molding target on a drawing surface of a drawing stand with a liquid whose curing is precipitated by receiving activation energy as cross-section patterns; applying the activation energy to the liquid configuring the cross-section patterns in a state in which the cross-section patterns is pinched between the drawing stand and a molding stand; and detaching the cross-section patterns after being applied with the activation energy from the drawing stand and transferring the cross-section patterns to the molding stand side, wherein the drawing surface has a liquid repellent area that is an area representing liquid repellency for the liquid and a lyophilic area that is independently formed in an island shape within the liquid repellent area and is an area representing lyophillicity stronger than that of the liquid repellent area for the liquid. | 09-08-2011 |
20110221099 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT THAT IS SUITABLE FOR APPLICATION TO MICROTECHNOLOGY - The present invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, wherein the object is generated by successively solidifying single layers of fluid or powdery solidifiable building material by the action of electromagnetic radiation. The method comprises steps for emitting a first pulsed electromagnetic radiation onto a first area of a layer of the building material, and for emitting a second continuous electromagnetic radiation onto a second area of the layer of the building material. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221100 | PRODUCTION METHOD FOR A PAINT PLANT COMPONENT AND CORRESPONDING PAINT PLANT COMPONENT - Exemplary production methods for producing a paint plant component, e.g., for producing a component of a colour changer, a colour valve, or a spray device, are disclosed. According to the exemplary illustrations, the paint plant component may be produced in a rapid prototyping method. The exemplary illustrations also include a paint plant component that is produced accordingly. | 09-15-2011 |
20110241259 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A lithographic apparatus may include an optical element, such as an immersion fluid reservoir, which supported at least in part by a bearing, such as a gas bearing. To enable illumination by the lithographic apparatus of an edge of the substrate, a surrounding structure is provided that surrounds the substrate. A level parameter of the substrate, such as a thickness of the substrate, is measured by a sensor, such as a thickness sensor. By means of an actuator, the substrate table on which the substrate is or will be held is positioned with respect to the surrounding structure, such that a surface of the substrate would be on a substantially same level as a surface of the surrounding structure, thus enabling the optical element to transition from the surface of the substrate to the surface of the surrounding structure and vice versa. | 10-06-2011 |
20110260365 | PROCESS AND FREEFORM FABRICATION SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT - The present invention provides a process for producing at least one three-dimensional object, comprising: providing a material to be solidified; delivering electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation in a pattern or an image to a building region for solidifying said material; wherein said delivering of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is performed selectively to a defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; and wherein an energy density of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is controlled and/or adjusted in a border region of said pattern or image and/or is varied in border regions of patterns or images of different building regions of said material, to have an energy density different from the building region other than said border region(s), wherein the controlling and/or adjustment is dependent on, alone or in combination: (a) intensity of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation delivered to said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; (b) total shape or contour shape of said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; (c) size of said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; and (d) material to be solidified. A device is provided likewise. | 10-27-2011 |
20110285060 | LAYERED MANUFACTURING METHOD AND LAYERED MANUFACTURING DEVICE - A layered manufacturing method for forming a desired three-dimensional object by using a powder as a raw material. The method forms a desired solid body, which is employed in a layered manufacturing device, including a stage member having stage surface; a transparent member having an optical window to cover the stage surface to form an enclosed region together with the stage surface; and an exhaust system for exhausting gasses in the enclosed region. The optical window is positioned at a vertical upper direction when the enclosed region is formed. | 11-24-2011 |
20110285061 | Apparatus and Method for Cooling Part Cake in Laser Sintering - A part cake defining a build produced by laser sintering and the surrounding unfused powder is contained in an enclosure, and the enclosure includes displaceable wall portions for compressing the part cake to support the build against distortion during rapid cooling from a cooling fluid. The enclosure enables the part cake to be quickly and reliably cooled either within the laser sintering system or outside the laser sintering system. A source of cooling fluid connects to the enclosure and a lid holds the part cake in place as cooling fluid is forced through the pore volume of the cake. An inert gas blanket apparatus is also provided to reduce or prevent oxidation of the part cake and/or to cool the part cake. Once the part cake is cooled, the build produced by laser sintering may be removed from the part cake. | 11-24-2011 |
20110309554 | Device And Method For Processing Light-Polymerizable Material For Building Up An Object In Layers - A method and a device for processing a light-polymerizable material ( | 12-22-2011 |
20120007287 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LAYERWISE PRODUCTION OF A 3D OBJECT - A system and method for layer-by-layer production of an object is provided. The system includes a construction shape having a carrying surface adapted for carrying a layer of build material, a plate having a holding surface adapted for holding an object in an object build area, a moveable reservoir having a plurality of containment surfaces defining a containment area adapted for containing a volume of build material within the moveable reservoir, and an exposure unit adapted for exposing at least a portion of the layer of build material in the object build area so that the portion of the layer of build material solidifies to form a solidified layer of the object. In one embodiment, the moveable reservoir is moveable between a first position and a second position and at least one of the plurality of containment surfaces of the moveable reservoir includes a portion of the carrying surface when the moveable reservoir is in the first position, and the portion of the carrying surface is positioned in the object build area when the moveable reservoir is in the second position. | 01-12-2012 |
20120007288 | Compensation of Actinic Radiation Intensity Profiles for Three-Dimensional Modelers - There is provided methods and apparatus for compensation of intensity profiles of imagers used in three-dimensional modelers. The intensity profile of the actinic radiation projected from the imager is determined by a variety of techniques, including but not limited to manually operated sensors, exposed and scanned actinic radiation-sensitive paper, and intensity profilers. Once the intensity profile of the imager is determined, each layer of the solidifiable liquid material is cured by projecting a plurality of patterns (as opposed to a single pattern) defining the two-dimensional cross-section of the part being cured. The patterns vary in duration, number, and/or shape to correlate to the intensity profile so that a single layer of selectively cured solidifiable liquid material is cured with a substantially equivalent (or otherwise controlled) amount of actinic radiation per unit of surface area to provide generally controlled and consistent part quality. | 01-12-2012 |
20120018924 | MULTIPLE-ZONE LIQUEFIER ASSEMBLY FOR EXTRUSION-BASED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS - A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, and a method for building a three-dimensional model with the extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, where the liquefier assembly includes a liquefier tube having multiple, independently heatable zones along a longitudinal length of the liquefier tube. | 01-26-2012 |
20120133083 | Stereolithography Machine - The invention is a stereolithography machine ( | 05-31-2012 |
20120168989 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LAYERWISE PRODUCTION OF A 3D OBJECT - A system and method of layerwise production of a tangible object ( | 07-05-2012 |
20120228802 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FOCUSING A BEAM OF LIGHT WITH REDUCED FOCAL PLANE DISTORTION - A system for focusing a light beam may be used for multi-photon stereolithography. It comprises a collimator or expander for adjusting the beam divergence and a scanner for directing the beam onto a focusing device to focus the beam to a focal point or beam waist and to scan the focused beam. A controller controls adjustment of the beam divergence so that the focal point or beam waist is scanned substantially in a plane. A light source may be provided to generate the light beam. The expander may comprise a diverging lens and a converging lens for expanding the beam to produce a collimated beam. The divergence of the collimated beam is dependent on the distance between the diverging lens and the converging lens, which may be adjusted to adjust the beam divergence. The focusing device may comprise a dry objective lens to focus the collimated beam onto the target material to induce multi-photon absorption in the target material at the beam waist of the focused beam. | 09-13-2012 |
20120228803 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING HIGH TEMPERATURE CASTABLE ARTICLES AND GAS TURBINE ENGINE COMPONENTS - Embodiments of a method are provided for fabricating a high temperature castable article, such as a casting mold or a core. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a suspension containing a plurality of ceramic particles and a photo-curable monomer; photo-curing selected portions of the suspension to produce a green body coated, at least partially, with uncured suspension; and removing the uncured suspension from the green body under process conditions at which the viscosity of the uncured suspension is reduced. The process conditions include exposing the green body to one of the group consisting of: (i) microwave energy sufficient to excite a dipole moment of the uncured suspension and (ii) sonic energy sufficient to induce shear-thinning of the uncured suspension. The green body is then heat treated to produce the high temperature castable article. | 09-13-2012 |
20120242007 | METHOD FOR REDUCING DIFFERENTIAL SHRINKAGE IN STEROLITHOGRAPHY - The present invention relates to a new and improved stereolithography method and system for generating a three-dimensional object by forming successive, adjacent, cross-sectional laminae of that object, thereby providing an object being specially processed to reduce differential shrinkage. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242008 | PATTERN FORMING METHOD AND PATTERN FORMING APPARATUS - A nozzle N which moves in a scan direction Ds along a surface Wf of a substrate W discharges an application liquid which contains a photo-curing material, and a light emitter E moving as if to follow the nozzle N irradiates light (UV light for instance) upon the application liquid. Arriving at an application end position, the nozzle N stops discharging the application liquid and retracts in a direction away from the substrate surface Wf. Meanwhile, the light emitter E keeps moving in the scan direction Ds, thereby irradiating even the terminating end of the application liquid with the light without fail. | 09-27-2012 |
20120248657 | METHOD FOR THE LAYERED CONSTRUCTION OF A SHAPED BODY MADE OF HIGHLY VISCOUS PHOTOPOLYMERIZABLE MATERIAL - The invention relates to a method for the layered construction of a shaped body made of highly viscous photopolymerizable material. | 10-04-2012 |
20120286453 | NETWORKED THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTER WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCANNER - Three-dimensional fabrication resources are improved by adding networking capabilities to three-dimensional printers and providing a variety of tools for networked use of three-dimensional printers. Web-based servers or the like can provide a single point of access for remote users to manage access to distributed content on one hand, and to manage use of distributed fabrication resources on the other. | 11-15-2012 |
20120313294 | System and Method For Layerwise Production of A Tangible Object - A system and method for layer-by-layer production of an object is provided. The system includes a construction shape having a carrying surface adapted for carrying a layer of build material, a plate having a holding surface adapted for holding an object in an object build area, a moveable reservoir having a plurality of containment surfaces defining a containment area adapted for containing a volume of build material within the moveable reservoir, and an exposure unit adapted for exposing at least a portion of the layer of build material in the object build area so that the portion of the layer of build material solidifies to form a solidified layer of the object. | 12-13-2012 |
20120326356 | FABRICATING OBJECTS WITH INTEGRAL AND CONTOURED REAR PROJECTION - A method for manufacturing a three dimensional (3D) object with a rear projection (RP) surface. The method includes providing a rapid prototyping machine, such as a stereolithography machine, with input material, such as a white photopolymer resin. The method includes providing a digital prototyping file, which defines thin, separately grown layers of a digital representation of the 3D object, to a computer control system. With the computer control system, the rapid prototyping machine is operated to form a 3D object using the input material and the digital prototyping file. As a result, the 3D object includes an RP element, which behaves as an RP substrate or surface. A structural portion of the 3D model has a first thickness and an RP portion has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness such that it is translucent to provide an RP element integrally formed with an adjacent structural element. | 12-27-2012 |
20130001834 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS USING LINEAR SOLIDIFICATION - An apparatus and method for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material using a linear solidification device is shown and described. In certain examples, the linear solidification device includes a laser diode that projects light onto a scanning device, such as a rotating polygonal mirror or a linear scanning micromirror, which then deflects the light onto a photohardenable resin. As a result, the linear solidification device scans a line of solidification energy in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the laser diode. In other examples, the linear solidification device is a laser device array or light emitting diode array that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the array. | 01-03-2013 |
20130026680 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELS - The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data, whereby a material is deposited in layers in a process chamber and the material is selectively solidified and/or bonded using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber, these steps being repeated. A conveyance of the material proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially and evenly up to an unpacking position. | 01-31-2013 |
20130037993 | COMPUTER NUMERICAL CONTROL (CNC) ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING - An additive manufacturing system and process are described. In one example of the invention, a fiber optic cable connected with an ultraviolet (UV) LED and related lens forms an accumulation tool. The cable is then merged inside a tank filled with liquid resin that is UV-curable. By controlling the on/off state of the UV-LED and the multi-axis motion of the cable, a physical model, having a desired shape, can be built by selectively curing liquid resin into solid. | 02-14-2013 |
20130056910 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURES - The present invention relates to a device as well as a method for creating three-dimensional structures consisting of a material to be consolidated, in particular a material containing organopolysiloxane, by way of locally selective consolidation of the latter as a result of light-induced organic cross-linking. The device is characterized by a movable focusing optical system for the formation of one or a plurality of laser foci, wherein either the laser beam of a laser source can be introduced into the material to be consolidated through the material container and a movable carrier unit is arranged in said container or the focusing optical system is immersed into the material bath and the laser beams can be introduced into the material to be consolidated via a beam exit area of the focusing optical system. In the method, a focusing optical system that is movable in at least one plane is used for the formation of at least one laser focus, and a movable carrier unit is positioned in the material to be consolidated in one embodiment. | 03-07-2013 |
20130075954 | Solid Imaging Systems, Components Thereof, and Methods of Solid Imaging - There is provided solid imaging methods and apparatus for making three-dimensional objects from solid imaging material. A tray with a film bottom is provided to hold solid imaging material that is selectively cured into cross-sections of the three-dimensional object being built. A coater bar is moved back and forth over the film to remove any uncured solid imaging material from a previous layer and to apply a new layer of solid imaging material. A sensor is provided to measure the amount of resin in the tray to determine the appropriate amount of solid imaging material to be added, from a cartridge, for the next layer. A shuttle, which covers the tray when the exterior door to the solid imaging apparatus is opened for setting up a build or removing a three-dimensional object, can also be used to move the coater bar and to selectively open one or more valves on the cartridge to dispense the desired amount of solid imaging material. | 03-28-2013 |
20130140741 | RESIN SOLIDIFICATION SUBSTRATE AND ASSEMBLY - A solidification substrate assembly for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material includes a solidification substrate assembly. In certain examples, the solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the solidification substrate, and the tilting of the substrate and/or or the use of a peeling member facilitates separation of the substrate from the solidified material. In other examples, the solidification substrate assembly includes a film that is adjacent to a rigid or semi-rigid layer. The solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the film, and a peeling member peels the film away from the solidified material. Intelligent solidification substrate assemblies are also described in which a force sensor determines when to expose the solidifiable material to solidification energy and/or whether to use a peeling member to separate the solidification substrate from a solidified objection section. | 06-06-2013 |
20130154160 | Stereolithography Systems and Methods Using Internal Laser Modulation - Stereolithography systems ( | 06-20-2013 |
20130154161 | METHOD AND APPARATUS ASSOCIATED WITH ANISOTROPIC SHRINK IN SINTERED CERAMIC ITEMS - A manufacturing method for producing ceramic item from a photocurable ceramic filled material by stereolithography. The method compensates for the anisotropic shrinkage of the item during firing to produce a dimensionally accurate item. | 06-20-2013 |
20130168902 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL COMPONENT - A method for producing a three-dimensional component by means of a laser melting process, in which the component is produced by consecutively solidifying individual layers made of building material by melting the building material, wherein said building material can be solidified by the action of radiation, wherein the melting area produced by a punctiform and/or linear energy input is detected by a sensor device and sensor values are derived therefrom in order to evaluate the component quality. The sensor values detected in order to evaluate the component quality are stored together with the coordinate values that locate the sensor values in the component and are displayed by means of a visualization unit in two- and/or multi-dimensional representation with respect to the detection location of the sensor values in the component. | 07-04-2013 |
20130193620 | MULTI-DIMENSIONAL COMPONENT BUILD SYSTEM AND PROCESS - An example multi-dimensional component building system includes a first chamber having at least one base, a second chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the first chamber through a first door, and a third chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the second chamber through a second door. The second chamber is fluidly sealed from the first chamber if the first door is in a closed position. The second chamber includes a directed heat source, a build-up material and is configured to receive the at least one base if the fluid parameters of the first chamber and second chamber are approximately equal. The third chamber is fluidly sealed from the second chamber if the first door is in a closed position. The third chamber is configured to receive the at least one base, having a formed component disposed thereon, if the second door is in an open position. | 08-01-2013 |
20130193621 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF ON-DEMAND CUSTOMIZED MEDICAMENT DOSES BY 3D PRINTING - Systems and methods of fabricating a customized dose using a medication 3D printer are provided. According to one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a 3D printer that receives prescription dose instructions from a computer or mobile communication device via a network and assembles a customized medication dose according to the prescription dose instructions by selective application of materials stored in a medicament compound container having at least one reservoir containing the materials for assembly. The materials for assembly can be provided to the 3D printer by a master conduit connecting reservoirs in the medicament compound container to the 3D printer. The 3D printer accesses specified amounts of the materials, which include medicament compounds, via the master conduit, and assembles the customized medication dose according to the prescription dose instructions. | 08-01-2013 |
20130228953 | Three-Dimensional Shaping Device And Three-Dimensional Shaping Method - Control means performs control such that a head section | 09-05-2013 |
20130234369 | Method and device for layered buildup of a shaped element - Since concrete materials do not cure quick enough when prototyping methods are used, so that a lower layer ( | 09-12-2013 |
20130234370 | Modeling Material For Forming Photofabrication Model In Ink-Jet Three Dimensional Printing, Supporting Material For Supporting The Shape Of Photofabrication Model On Photofabrication And Production Method Of Photofabrication Model - The present invention aims to provide a supporting material for supporting the shape of a photofabrication model on photofabrication in ink-jet three dimensional printing method in which the photocured product is excellent in solubility in water and is easy to remove after photofabrication, and the like. A modeling material for forming a photofabrication model in ink-jet three dimensional printing method containing a curable resin component with a weighted average of SP value of 9.0 to 10.3; and a supporting material for supporting the shape of a photofabrication model on photofabrication in ink-jet three dimensional printing method containing a water-soluble monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer (F), polyoxypropylene glycol with a number average molecular weight of 100 to 5,000 and/or water (G), and a photopolymerization initiator (D). | 09-12-2013 |
20130241113 | ADDITIVE FABRICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD OF LAYERWISE PRODUCTION OF A TANGIBLE OBJECT - An additive fabrication apparatus is provided comprising a movable foil guiding stage ( | 09-19-2013 |
20130241114 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF AN OBJECT - A method of additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object is disclosed. The method comprises sequentially forming a plurality of layers in a configured pattern corresponding to the shape of the object. Each layer is formed by dispensing at least one modeling material to form an uncured layer, and curing the uncured layer by radiation. In various exemplary embodiments of the invention the method comprises, for at least one layer, forming a stack of sacrificial radiation-protective layers to cover an exposed portion of the layer, such that an upper layer of the stack remains exposed during formation of any subsequent layer of the plurality of layers. | 09-19-2013 |
20130249146 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT AND STEREOLITHOGRAPHY MACHINE EMPLOYING SAID METHOD - Method for producing a three-dimensional object in layers by way of a stereolithography machine ( | 09-26-2013 |
20130292881 | THERMOCHROMIC BUILD MATERIALS - A variety of thermochromic build materials are disclosed for use in color-controlled three-dimensional printing. By providing materials that exhibit a final color dependent upon heat applied during a melt or extrusion process, objects can be fabricated having a user-controlled color that varies from object to object, or within a single object. | 11-07-2013 |
20130307193 | Support Structures and Deposition Techniques for 3D Printing - There is provided a support structure for use with 3D printing of objects from computer-aided designs. The support structures include fine points that contact the down-facing surfaces of the 3D object being printed in order to adequately support the 3D object while also being adapted for easy removal after the 3D print process is complete. The fine points are possible by controlling the operation of the dispenser to provide a precise amount of material in a precise location. The dispenser jumps from a first fine point to a second fine point by retracting the print material after the first fine point is printed and then moving the dispenser vertically relative to the first fine point before the dispenser is moved horizontally to the second fine point. | 11-21-2013 |
20130307194 | DEVICE FOR MAKING AN OBJECT - An apparatus for making an object is disclosed herein. | 11-21-2013 |
20130313756 | PROCESS PLANNING OF MENISCUS SHAPES FOR FABRICATING SMOOTH SURFACES IN MASK IMAGE PROJECTION BASED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING - A system may produce a desired three dimensional object that includes a tank that holds a liquid that solidifies upon exposure to light; a controllable stage that controllably moves within the tank; a controllable light source that emits a light image in a controllable pattern; and a controller that controls the controllable stage and the controllable light source so as to cause at least three cascaded layers to be sequentially solidified in the liquid that collectively approximate at least a section of the desired three dimensional object and that collectively form at least one up-facing step at their outer edges; and, following the solidification of the at least three cascaded layers, cause a meniscus of the liquid to form and solidify in the at least one up-facing step. The controller may control the number and/or width of the sequentially solidified cascaded layers. | 11-28-2013 |
20130334740 | LAYERWISE PRODUCTION METHOD AND ILLUMINATION SYSTEM FOR USE THEREIN - An illumination system for use in a system ( | 12-19-2013 |
20140027952 | Methods for Producing Coaxial Structures Using a Microfluidic Jet - The object of the invention is the provision of methods for controlled production of continuous multi-component filaments or discreet structures using a multi-component liquid jet issuing from an orifice. A multi-component jet consists of two or more liquids. The liquids may be miscible or immiscible, and form a co-axially propagating flow along the central axis of a flow cell. The working distance between the exit orifice and a substrate can be as large as 50 mm, so that in-flight processing of the jet is possible. The coaxial flow consists of an outer sheath liquid and an inner sample liquid or composite of liquids. The flow cell and the exit channel of the deposition head are heated so that the pressurized sheath liquid temperature is raised to near or above the boiling point of the sheath liquid at the local atmospheric pressure. The jet exits the deposition head through the orifice, and the outer liquid is evaporated as the jet falls at atmospheric pressure. The sheath liquid is processed thermally, optically, or chemically during flight to form a protective or insulating layer for the inner liquid or liquids. The inner liquids may contrastingly consist of an ultraviolet (UV) curable ink that is processed in-flight or after deposition. Since UV curable inks contain no volatile components, the coaxial jetted filament can be processed without producing cracks or bubbles in the sheath layer. Line widths are produced in the range from approximately 1 to 1000 microns. | 01-30-2014 |
20140027953 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT AND STEREOLITHOGRAPHY MACHINE EMPLOYING SAID METHOD - A method for producing a three-dimensional object ( | 01-30-2014 |
20140035202 | RADIATION CURABLE RESIN COMPOSITION AND RAPID THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING PROCESS USING THE SAME - The invention relates to a liquid radiation curable resin capable of curing into a solid upon irradiation comprising: (A) from about 0 to about 12 wt % of a cycloaliphatic epoxide having a linking ester group; (B) from about 30 to about 65 wt % of one or more epoxy functional components other than A; (C) from about 10 to about 30 wt % of one or more oxetanes; (D) from, about 1 to about 10 wt % of one or more polyols; (E) from about 2 to about 20 wt % of one or more radically curable (meth)acrylate components; (F) from about 2 to about 12 wt % of one or more impact modifiers; (G) from about 0.1 to about 8 wt % of one or more free radical photoinitiators; and (H) from about 0.1 to about 8 wt % of one or more cationic photoinitiators; wherein the liquid radiation curable resin has a viscosity at 30° C. of from about 600 cps to about 1300 cps. | 02-06-2014 |
20140042670 | PHOTO BOOTH FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGES - A photo booth is configured with a three-dimensional scanner, a display with a user interface coupled to the photo booth, a network interface configured to couple the photo booth in a communicating relationship with a remote processing resource, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to associate a user identifier and a user with a subject, capture a scan of the subject in the photo booth with the three-dimensional scanner, process the scan to obtain a three-dimensional model of the subject, receive a user customization of the three-dimensional model in the user interface, the user customization resulting in a modification of the three-dimensional model, create a fabrication-ready digital model of the three-dimensional model including the modification, and store the fabrication-ready digital model. | 02-13-2014 |
20140048980 | ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM WITH EXTENDED PRINTING VOLUME, AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - An additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional parts, the system comprising a heatable chamber with a port, a print foundation, a print head configured to print a three-dimensional part onto the print foundation in a layer-by-layer manner along a printing axis, and a drive mechanism configured to index the print foundation along the printing axis such that, while the print head prints the three-dimensional part, the print foundation and at least a portion of the three-dimensional part pass through the port and out of the heated chamber. | 02-20-2014 |
20140048981 | ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM WITH EXTENDED PRINTING VOLUME, AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - An additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional parts, the system comprising a heatable region, a receiving surface, a print head configured to print a three-dimensional part onto the receiving surface in a layer-by-layer manner along a printing axis, and a drive mechanism configured to index the receiving surface along the printing axis such that the receiving surface and at least a portion of the three-dimensional part out of the heated region. | 02-20-2014 |
20140061974 | Method and apparatus for continuous composite three-dimensional printing - A method and apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are disclosed. Two or more materials are extruded simultaneously as a composite, with at least one material in liquid form and at least one material in a solid continuous strand completely encased within the liquid material. A means of curing the liquid material after extrusion hardens the composite. A part is constructed using a series of extruded composite paths. The strand material within the composite contains specific chemical, mechanical, or electrical characteristics that instill the object with enhanced capabilities not possible with only one material. | 03-06-2014 |
20140070461 | COLOR SWITCHING FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING - By reversing the direction of a first build material fed into an extruder, the first build material can be wholly or partially evacuated from the extruder before a second material is introduced. This approach mitigates transition artifacts and permits faster, more complete changes from one build material to another. | 03-13-2014 |
20140070462 | CONTROL METHOD FOR MAPPING - A method for producing a three-dimensional object from solidifiable material, which is either present in the starting state in a fluid phase or can be liquefied, by the sequential discharge of drops from at least one pressurisable material storage device for the fluid phase by means of at least one discharge unit through an outlet provided with a pulsable closure element, the closure element is actuated by means of an actuator and its initial stressing is measured at the operating point by means of the actuator, where the initial stressing is controlled by means of an adjusting element, and a mapping for the elastic deformation of the closure element is determined by means of the actuator actuated by the adjusting element, such that an elastic working range of the closure element is adjusted by means of the adjusting element within the mapping. | 03-13-2014 |
20140070463 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LAYERWISE PRODUCTION OF A TANGIBLE OBJECT - A method cycle of a method for layerwise production of a tangible object ( | 03-13-2014 |
20140077417 | STANDOFF GENERATING DEVICES AND PROCESSES FOR MAKING SAME - Standoff generating devices, arrays, and processes are disclosed for producing standoffs of various shapes, aspect ratios, and mechanical properties on a receiving surface for production of, e.g., vacuum-insulated glass units (VIGUs). | 03-20-2014 |
20140103581 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS - Systems and methods for fabricating three-dimensional objects are disclosed. The system includes an optical imaging system providing a light source; a photosensitive medium adapted to change states upon exposure to a portion of the light source from the optical imaging system; a control system for controlling movement of the optical imaging system, wherein the optical imaging system moves continuously above the photosensitive medium. The method includes moving a maskless optical imaging system providing the light beam in a continuous sequence; presenting the light beam on a portion of the photosensitive medium; lowering a plate upon which the photosensitive medium resides; and applying a new layer of the photosensitive medium. | 04-17-2014 |
20140117584 | INKJET PRINTING METHOD FOR FORMING A CONTINUOUS THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE - An inkjet printing method for forming a continuous three-dimensional structure is disclosed. A pre-patterned temporary structure is formed on a substrate for defining a filling groove on the substrate. An inkjet printing process is performed for filling the ink droplets into the filling groove. The ink droplets cover the filling groove and contact the surface of the temporary structure and the substrate at the same time. A self-aligned effect is formed by a composition of the gravity of the ink droplets, a surface tension between the ink droplets and the temporary structure, and a surface tension between the ink droplets and the substrate. When the ink droplets are solidified, a standalone continuous three-dimensional structure is formed by removing the temporary structure. The geometry of the continuous three-dimensional structure can be defined by the temporary structure; therefore a small track width of the solidified ink droplets can be obtained. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117585 | TAGGED BUILD MATERIAL FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING - A supply of build material such as a spool or cartridge is instrumented with a data tag that includes information about the build material. A three-dimensional printer can read the information from the tag and determine how to use the build material during fabrication of a three-dimensional object. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117586 | MODULAR FABRICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present invention relates to an article fabrication system having a plurality of material deposition tools containing one or more materials useful in fabricating the article, and a material deposition device having a tool interface for receiving one of the material deposition tools. A system controller is operably connected to the material deposition device to control operation of the material deposition device. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating an article using the system of the invention and a method of fabricating a living three-dimensional structure. | 05-01-2014 |
20140159284 | LIQUEFIER ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM - A liquefier assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system, where the liquefier assembly includes a liquefier tube, a nozzle secured to an outlet end of the liquefier tube, a heating element extending at least partially around the liquefier tube to generate a hot zone in the liquefier tube, a hollow spacer disposed in the channel; and a hollow liner disposed in the channel abutting against an upstream shoulder of the hollow spacer. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159285 | COMPOSITION FOR LASER DIRECT STRUCTURING AND LASER DIRECT STRUCTURING METHOD USING SAME - In an embodiment of the present invention, a touch screen is provided, the touch screen characterized by: an indium tin oxide (ITO) film deposited on a top surface of a flexible plastic film; a first metal layer deposited on the ITO film, and a second metal layer plated on the first metal layer. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the touch screen and the method of manufacturing the same having the excellent sensitivity while securing durability may be provided. | 06-12-2014 |
20140167325 | MOLDING METHOD AND MOLDING APPARATUS - A molding method includes drawing cross-section elements of a three-dimensional object as a molding target on a drawing surface of a drawing stand with a liquid whose curing is precipitated by receiving activation energy as cross-section patterns; applying the activation energy to the liquid configuring the cross-section patterns in a state in which the cross-section patterns is pinched between the drawing stand and a molding stand; and detaching the cross-section patterns after being applied with the activation energy from the drawing stand and transferring the cross-section patterns to the molding stand side, wherein the drawing surface has a liquid repellent area that is an area representing liquid repellency for the liquid and a lyophilic area that is independently formed in an island shape within the liquid repellent area and is an area representing lyophillicity stronger than that of the liquid repellent area for the liquid. | 06-19-2014 |
20140175706 | METHOD FOR PRINTING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS - A method for forming three dimensional objects is disclosed. The method includes printing building material, layer by layer, to form a three dimensional object on a printing tray by moving a printing block that comprises a printing head , at least two curing sources and a leveler in forward and reverse passages. The printing is done by moving the printing block in a forward passage when the distance between the printing block and the printing tray is such that the leveler does not touch a layer being built, adjusting a height position of the printing tray relative to the printing block prior to printing a reverse passage and moving the printing block in the reverse passage, wherein during the reserve passage the leveler touches and levels the layer being built. | 06-26-2014 |
20140183792 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FREEZE-FORM EXTRUSION FABRICATION OF FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT COMPOSITE PARTS - This novel technology relates to a freeze-form extrusion fabrication process for fabricating three-dimensional functionally gradient composite parts by extruding and mixing multiple aqueous pastes prior to depositing and freezing the mixed paste, layer by layer, using a computer controlled multi-extruder apparatus. Various aqueous pastes with low organic binder contents are first prepared. The extrusion of each different paste is coordinated through computer control, which mixes the pastes in any desired proportions prior to extrusion through and deposition according to a pre-programmed deposition path for each layer. The mixed paste is frozen immediately after deposition. A heating jacket may be used to prevent the pastes from freezing prior to deposition. The layer-by-layer fabrication process continues until an entire part has been fabricated. | 07-03-2014 |
20140191442 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING AN OBJECT - A method for making an object and an apparatus ( | 07-10-2014 |
20140203479 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REUSE OF MATERIALS IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for reusing surplus material generated by an Additive Manufacturing system in the process of manufacturing a 3-dimensional (3D) object. Surplus material removed from deposited layers and purged material used for printing head maintenance are transferred to back to the printing system to be deposited within subsequent layers. The reusable material may be deposited within the boundaries of a cross section of the 3-dimensional object to become part of 3D object or outside the boundaries of a cross section of the 3-dimensional object as part of the support construction, which is removed from the finished product. According to embodiments of the invention, a portion of the waste material for disposal may be deposited and cured layer by layer to form a waste block, concurrently with printing the layers of the 3D dimensional object. The fully cured waste block may be then disposed of in a safe manner. | 07-24-2014 |
20140210137 | Fixed Printhead Fused Filament Fabrication Printer and Method - A fused filament fabrication printer uses a plurality of fixed printing heads mounted to a structure over a build platform on which the model is built by constructing each layer of the model as the build platform is indexed through a multiplicity of successive print planes. The build platform may be in the form of a circular disk mounted for rotation about a z-axis and for linear motion along the z-axis between successive print planes, and for linear motion along a y-axis which is a selected radial direction perpendicular to the z-axis. Because the printheads are fixed, multiple printheads are easily affixed with respect to the build platform along the same radial line defining the y-axis transverse to the selected radial direction along which the build platform moves. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210138 | FORMING OR PATTERNING COMPOSITE MICROSTRUCTURES USING MICROFLUIDICS - Techniques comprising systems and methods for forming or pattering microstructures using microfluidics are described. A target structure can include a microchannel passage with a chamber into which a light hardenable material can be injected and selectively exposed to light to adhere to a desired location of a substrate. Unhardened material can be washed out of the chamber. One or more subsequent cycles can repeat the process using the same or a different material. A variety of composite microstructures can be created, including structures encapsulating viable living cells, such as for cell study or tissue engineering. | 07-31-2014 |
20140217647 | ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF TILED OBJECTS - Objects and methods for the manufacture of objects are provided such that the manufactured objects comprise a plurality of tile pieces and seams between the tile pieces, the seams allowing for controlled breaking of the objects. In some embodiments, the objects comprise casting molds or mold parts comprising a tile structure. | 08-07-2014 |
20140252684 | ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR PRINTING THREE-DIMENSIONAL PARTS WITH PURGE TOWERS - A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system, the method including printing layers of the three-dimensional part and of a support structure for the three-dimensional part from multiple print heads or deposition lines, and switching the print heads or deposition line between stand-by modes and operating modes in-between the printing of the layers of the three-dimensional part and the support structure. The method also includes performing a purge operation for each print head or deposition line switched to the operating mode, where the purge operation includes printing a layer of at least one purge tower from the print head or deposition line switched to the operating mode. | 09-11-2014 |
20140252685 | Powder Bed Fusion Systems, Apparatus, and Processes for Multi-Material Part Production - Powder bed fusion systems, apparatus, and processes for the production of multi-material parts are provided, in which the material composition varies throughout the part, including different regions within a particular layer. Present embodiments include the capability to selectively deliver fusion-inducing energy over the part bed as each layer of the part is made, rather than uniformly over the part bed. | 09-11-2014 |
20140265032 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING - Methods and apparatus for preparing a layer of an object being fabricated by a three-dimensional printing process. Embodiments of the invention combine selective deposition with selective curing to benefit from the respective advantages of both techniques. Multiple printing heads deposit a two-dimensional cross section of the object being fabricated on a substrate which is transparent to curing radiation. The multiple printing heads selectively deposit different object body materials in different regions of the cross section and also selectively deposit regions of support material as necessary. The transparent substrate is then moved into registration with the object being fabricated so that the new layer is in contact with the object body, and an ultraviolet two-dimensional image of the cross section is projected through the substrate to selectively cure the new layer. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265033 | METHOD FOR IMPROVED TIRE MOLD MANUFACTURING - The present invention includes methods and apparatus for developing and forming a tire-related mold configured to at least mold a portion of a tire tread. Particular embodiments of such methods include creating a digital model representing a three-dimensional structure comprising a tread model molding member, the tread model molding member at least partially defining a molding cavity for forming a corresponding tire tread model. The three-dimensional structure comprising the tread model molding member is formed automatically using the digital model, the structure being formed by building the structure from one or more materials, the one or more materials including an elastic material such that the formed structure is an elastic structure. A tread model is molded using the tread model molding member, while a tread molding element for forming at least a portion of a tread is molded from the tread model. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265034 | 3D PRINTING USING SPIRAL BUILDUP - Methods, devices and systems for efficient 3D printing that address conventional inefficiencies while utilizing a single compact device are set forth. Some embodiments utilize a circular-shaped build area revolving symmetrically around a single center point utilizing a continuous helical printing process. In one embodiment a liquid photopolymer for solidification is deposited on a build platform to form the physical object The Build platform is continuously rotated and simultaneously raised in a gradual programmed manner. Focused from below the platform produces a single continuous “layer” of material deposited and bonded in a helical fashion. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265035 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING WITH CONTROL OF THERMOALTERABLE BUILD MATERIALS - A variety of thermoalterable build materials are disclosed for use in three-dimensional printing, along with techniques for controlling properties of such materials in a fabricated object. In particular, changes in material flow rate permit instantaneous changes in heat transfer and resulting variations in the amount of thermoalteration, without requiring any changes to the temperature of a heater or extruder used to extrude the material. In this manner, flow rate facilitates spatial control of properties within a fabricated object. | 09-18-2014 |
20140284848 | METHOD AND APPARATUS ASSOCIATED WITH ANISOTROPIC SHRINK IN SINTERED CERAMIC ITEMS - A manufacturing method for producing ceramic item from a photocurable ceramic filled material by stereolithography. The method compensates for the anisotropic shrinkage of the item during firing to produce a dimensionally accurate item. | 09-25-2014 |
20140306379 | DEVICE FOR CONSTRUCTING MODELS IN LAYERS - The invention relates to a device for constructing models in layers. A region for constructing models, preferably a construction platform, and a material applying device ( | 10-16-2014 |
20140306380 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS USING LINEAR SOLIDIFICATION WITH TRAVEL AXIS CORRECTION AND POWER CONTROL - An apparatus and method for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material using a linear solidification device is shown and described. The apparatus and method compensate for a non-orthogonal angle between the travel axis and scanning axis of a linear scanning device and also provide a substantially constant solidification depth along the scanning axis. In certain examples, a solidification energy control system is also provided to regulate the solidification power supplied to the solidifiable material by modulating the power supplied to the linear solidification device's solidification energy source, examples of which include laser diodes. | 10-16-2014 |
20140312535 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING A BODY PART MODEL USING MULTI-MATERIAL ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING - A method for physically reconstructing a body part using multi-material additive manufacturing includes receiving image data of the body part in the form of arrays of voxels, each array of voxels representing image data pertaining to cross-section of the body part, translating the image data in the arrays of voxels to printable bitmap images representing combinations of modeling materials for reconstructing the body part, and dispensing the combinations of modeling materials responsive to the bitmap images in a layerwise manner. | 10-23-2014 |
20140319735 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS FROM MULTIPLE SOLIDIFIABLE MATERIALS - Methods and apparatuses for making three-dimensional objects from multiple solidifiable materials is shown and described. Multiple solidifiable material container assemblies are provided for holding different solidifiable materials. Relative movement between the solidifiable material container assemblies and a build platform allows the solidifiable materials to be switched as an object is built. Several exemplary cleaning stations are provided for removing residual solidifiable materials from the surface of the three-dimensional object as it is built to better ensure smooth transitions between materials on the finished object. | 10-30-2014 |
20140319736 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS USING LINEAR SOLIDIFICATION - An apparatus and method for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material using a linear solidification device is shown and described. In certain examples, the linear solidification device includes a laser diode that projects light onto a linear scanning device, such as a rotating polygonal mirror or a linear scanning micromirror, which then deflects the light onto a photohardenable resin. As a result, the linear solidification device scans a line of solidification energy in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the laser diode. In other examples, the linear solidification device is a laser device array or light emitting diode array that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the array. | 10-30-2014 |
20140319737 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS USING LINEAR SOLIDIFICATION - An apparatus and method for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material using a linear solidification device is shown and described. In certain examples, the linear solidification device includes a laser diode that projects light onto a scanning device, such as a rotating polygonal mirror or a linear scanning micromirror, which then deflects the light onto a photohardenable resin. As a result, the linear solidification device scans a line of solidification energy in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the laser diode. In other examples, the linear solidification device is a laser device array or light emitting diode array that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the array. | 10-30-2014 |
20140319738 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS USING LINEAR SOLIDIFICATION - An apparatus and method for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material using a linear solidification device is shown and described. In certain examples, the linear solidification device includes a laser diode that projects light onto a scanning device, such as a rotating polygonal mirror or a linear scanning micromirror, which then deflects the light onto a photohardenable resin. As a result, the linear solidification device scans a line of solidification energy in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the laser diode. In other examples, the linear solidification device is a laser device array or light emitting diode array that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the array. | 10-30-2014 |
20140333011 | Method and Assembly for Additive Manufacturing - An additive manufacturing method ( | 11-13-2014 |
20140333012 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A HEARING AID COMPONENT - A method of manufacturing a hearing aid component ( | 11-13-2014 |
20140339741 | APPARATUS FOR FABRICATION OF THREE DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS - An apparatus for bottom-up fabrication of three dimensional objects, the apparatus comprising: a vat for a photosensitive polymer, the floor of the vat including a working surface arranged such that, in use, light incident on the working surface interacts with the photosensitive polymer at the working surface to fabricate a portion of the three dimensional object; a build platform capable of being inserted into the vat, the build platform having a planar surface; an elevator mechanism capable of adjusting the separation between the working surface of the vat and the planar surface of the build platform; and a rotation mechanism capable of varying the relative rotational position of the vat relative to the build platform, the relative rotation being about an axis which is normal to the working surface of the vat. | 11-20-2014 |
20140353878 | SUBSTRATE-BASED ADDITIVE FABRICATION PROCESS AND APPARATUS - A method and apparatus for additive fabrication which provides a substrate which helps the newly hardened resin layer to separate from the substrate while providing a substrate of appropriate strength and durability. In an embodiment, the substrate is a multi-layer substrate comprising a transport layer and a structural layer, the transport layer comprising a polyolefin or a fluoropolymer, and the structural layer comprising a semi-crystal line thermoplastic polymer. | 12-04-2014 |
20140361463 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL FABRICATION - The present invention relates to methods and an apparatus for the fabrication of solid three-dimensional objects from liquid polymerizable materials. | 12-11-2014 |
20140374958 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING STRUCTURE - A manufacturing method of a structure includes, in this order: providing a layer constituted by a support member and a modeling layer by bringing a regulating surface of a regulating member into contact with the modeling layer provided on a surface of an intermediate transfer member, pouring a material for the support member which becomes the support member to fill the periphery of the modeling layer while the regulating surface abutting the modeling layer, and solidifying the material for the support member; removing the regulating member from the layer constituted by the support member and the modeling layer. | 12-25-2014 |
20150021830 | Method and Apparatus for Printing 3D Objects Using Additive Manufacturing and Material Extruder with Translational and Rotational Axes - A 5D printer, which additively manufactures an object, includes an extruder that can move linearly along three orthogonal axes and rotationally around at least one of the axes with respect to the object while depositing a material. A gantry is movable along X, Y and Z axes, and a trunnion table movable about A and B axes is mounted on the gantry. A platen is mounted on the trunnion table, and the extruder deposits the material on the platen while moving the gantry and trunnion table. A model of the object is analyzed to produce a stress tensor for the object, and the depositing is according to the stress tensor. | 01-22-2015 |
20150028523 | POLYGLYCOLIC ACID SUPPORT MATERIAL FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS - A support material for use in an additive manufacturing system, which compositionally includes a polyglycolic acid polymer, which is at least partially soluble in an aqueous solution, and which is configured for use in the additive manufacturing system for printing a support structure in coordination with printing of a three-dimensional part. | 01-29-2015 |
20150035206 | SINGLE-USE BIOLOGICAL 3 DIMENSIONAL PRINTER - A three dimensional printing device has a sterilizable printer assembly including at least one printing head, a printing platform, and a driving mechanism adapted to perform a movement of the at least one printing head relative to the printing platform along three degrees of freedom; a printer housing enclosing the printer assembly in a sterile manner, at least one aseptic connector fluidly connected to a corresponding one of the at least one printing head. | 02-05-2015 |
20150042016 | STEREOLITHOGRAPHY MACHINE FOR PRODUCING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT AND STEREOLITHOGRAPHY METHOD APPLICABLE TO SAID MACHINE - The invention is a stereolithography machine ( | 02-12-2015 |
20150048553 | ADDITIVE-MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES AND METHODS - Additive-manufacturing systems, surface-processing apparatuses, and methods of forming products using an additive-manufacturing head are provided. In one aspect, an additive-manufacturing system includes an additive-manufacturing head and a surface-processing device coupled to the additive-manufacturing head. In another aspect, a surface-processing apparatus for an additive-manufacturing head includes a housing configured to be coupled to the additive-manufacturing head and a surface-processing device coupled to the housing. In a further aspect, a method of forming a product using an additive-manufacturing head includes forming one or more layers of the product with the additive-manufacturing head and processing at least one of the one or more layers of the product with a surface-processing device coupled to the additive-manufacturing head. | 02-19-2015 |
20150048554 | BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL MADE OF BIOLOGICAL COMPONENTS - The invention relates to a biodegradable material made of biological components, comprising 10 to 60 wt. % of a protein adhesive ( | 02-19-2015 |
20150054198 | Modelling Plate for a Stereolithography Machine, Stereolithography Machine Using Said Modelling Plate and Tool for Cleaning Said Modelling Plate - The invention is a modelling plate ( | 02-26-2015 |
20150061190 | Large Shells Manufacturing Apparatus - The current document discloses an apparatus and method that support manufacture of large 3D hollow objects or shells with thin walls including curved surfaces with high and low curvature change ratio and alleviate or significantly reduce the need for support structures. Further to this, introduction of support structures becomes a function of the curved surface curvature change ratio. | 03-05-2015 |
20150076739 | Additive Manufacturing System and Process with Precision Substractive Technique - An additive manufacturing system and process for producing three-dimensional parts, which includes forming layers of the three-dimensional part from a part material at a first resolution, and ablating selected voxels of the formed layers with a laser beam at a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution. | 03-19-2015 |
20150076740 | STEREOLITHOGRAPHY MACHINE WITH IMPROVED OPTICAL UNIT - The invention is a stereolithography machine ( | 03-19-2015 |
20150097315 | CONTINUOUS LIQUID INTERPHASE PRINTING - A method of forming a three-dimensional object, comprises providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid; irradiating the build region through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid while concurrently advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form the three-dimensional object from the solid polymer, while also concurrently: (i) continuously maintaining a dead zone of polymerizable liquid in contact with the build surface, and (ii) continuously maintaining a gradient of polymerization zone between the dead zone and the solid polymer and in contact with each thereof, the gradient of polymerization zone comprising the polymerizable liquid in partially cured form. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described. | 04-09-2015 |
20150097316 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL FABRICATION WITH FEED THROUGH CARRIER - A method of forming a three-dimensional object, is carried out by (a) providing a carrier and a build plate, the build plate comprising a semipermeable member, the semipermeable member comprising a build surface with the build surface and the carrier defining a build region therebetween, and with the build surface in fluid communication by way of the semipermeable member with a source of polymerization inhibitor; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid contacting the build surface; (c) irradiating the build region through the build plate to produce a solid polymerized region in the build region, while forming or maintaining a liquid film release layer comprised of the polymerizable liquid formed between the solid polymerized region and the build surface, the polymerization of which liquid film is inhibited by the polymerization inhibitor; and (d) advancing the carrier with the polymerized region adhered thereto away from the build surface on the build plate to create a subsequent build region between the polymerized region and the build surface; (e) wherein the carrier has at least one channel formed therein, and the filling step is carried out by passing or forcing the polymerizable liquid into the build region through the at least one channel. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described | 04-09-2015 |
20150102531 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS USING A CURVED BUILD PLATFORM - An apparatus and method for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material using a linear solidification device is shown and described. In certain examples, the linear solidification device includes a laser diode that projects light onto a scanning device, such as a rotating polygonal mirror or a linear scanning micromirror, which then deflects the light onto a photohardenable resin. As a result, the linear solidification device scans a line of solidification energy in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the laser diode. In other examples, the linear solidification device is a laser device array or light emitting diode array that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the array. | 04-16-2015 |
20150102532 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL FABRICATION - A method of forming a three-dimensional object, is carried out by (a) providing a carrier and a build plate, the build plate comprising a semipermeable member, the semipermeable member comprising a build surface with the build surface and the carrier defining a build region therebetween, and with the build surface in fluid communication by way of the semipermeable member with a source of polymerization inhibitor; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquidcontacting the build surface, (c) irradiating the build region through the build plate to produce a solid polymerized region in the build region, while forming or maintaining a liquid film release layer comprised of the polymerizable liquid formed between the solid polymerized region and the build surface, wherein the polymerization of which liquid film is inhibited by the polymerization inhibitor; and (d) advancing the carrier with the polymerized region adhered thereto away from the build surface on the build plate to create a subsequent build region between the polymerized region and the build surface while concurrently filling the subsequent build region with polymerizable liquid as in step (b). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described. | 04-16-2015 |
20150115504 | MOLDING METHOD AND MOLDING APPARATUS - A molding method includes drawing cross-section elements of a three-dimensional object as a molding target on a drawing surface of a drawing stand with a liquid whose curing is precipitated by receiving activation energy as cross-section patterns; applying the activation energy to the liquid configuring the cross-section patterns in a state in which the cross-section patterns is pinched between the drawing stand and a molding stand; and detaching the cross-section patterns after being applied with the activation energy from the drawing stand and transferring the cross-section patterns to the molding stand side, wherein the drawing surface has a liquid repellent area that is an area representing liquid repellency for the liquid and a lyophilic area that is independently formed in an island shape within the liquid repellent area and is an area representing lyophillicity stronger than that of the liquid repellent area for the liquid. | 04-30-2015 |
20150123319 | STEREOLITHOGRAPHY METHOD FOR PRODUCING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT, COMPRISING A MOVEMENT ACCORDING TO WHICH A SUPPORTING SURFACE FOR SAID OBJECT INTERMITTENTLY APPROACHES THE BOTTOM OF A CONTAINER, AND STEREOLITHOGRAPHY MACHINE USING SAID METHOD - The invention is a method for producing a three-dimensional object in layers through stereolithography, comprising the following operations: moving a supporting surface ( | 05-07-2015 |
20150123320 | Exposure Time-Based Projector Normalization for Additive Manufacturing Devices - Systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed that facilitate measuring the light output of an additive manufacturing device light source without utilizing additional equipment, such as a light meter. Once the light source output has been measured, such information can be utilized for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to: (i) delivering a uniform amount of light energy over time to each portion of a layer being formed; (ii) adjusting the intensity of each controllable element (e.g., pixel) of the light source to the measured minimum, thereby creating a uniformly intense light source; and (iii) minimizing the build time of layers or portions of a layer being formed based on the maximum intensity available within a given area of the build area. | 05-07-2015 |
20150130114 | Domain-Based Variable Exposure for Additive Manufacturing Devices - Devices, systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed that facilitate part layer curing by an additive manufacturing device wherein each element of the part layer is exposed to light from a light source until the element receives sufficient energy to cure. In an aspect, received energy is calculated based on both the light received directly from the light source and light received from surrounding elements due to dispersion and other effects. The present disclosure enables consistent curing across a part layer, facilitate the creation of sharp outer structures, and allow fragile structures to be built alongside larger structures without a loss of quality, clarity, or resolution. | 05-14-2015 |
20150137426 | ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING DEVICE AND METHOD - Disclosed is an additive manufacturing device, comprising: a vessel for containing a material which is polymerisable on exposure to radiation; a build platform having a build surface, the build platform being mounted or mountable for movement relative to the vessel; and a programmable radiation module comprising an array of individually addressable radiation emitting or transmitting elements, the array being configurable to produce radiation having a predetermined pattern by selective activation of elements of the array; wherein the programmable radiation module is positioned or positionable to irradiate uncured material adjacent the build surface, or adjacent a previously cured structure on the build surface, with the predetermined pattern without magnification. Also disclosed is an additive manufacturing method which employs the additive manufacturing device. | 05-21-2015 |
20150145171 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF POST-PROCESSING FEATURES FOR ADDITIVE FABRICATION - According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform is provided. The method comprises forming a raft structure in contact with the build platform, the raft structure formed from one or more layers of material and comprising at least one removal pocket adjacent to the build platform and forming additional material in contact with the raft structure. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus configured to form a plurality of layers of material on a build platform is provided. The apparatus comprises the build platform, and at least one controller configured to form a raft structure in contact with the build platform, the raft structure formed from one or more layers of material and comprising at least one removal pocket adjacent to the build platform, and form additional material in contact with the raft structure. | 05-28-2015 |
20150290876 | STEREOLITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND METHOD - A stereolithographic apparatus and method is disclosed in the present invention. The stereolithographic apparatus includes a container for containing liquid photosensitive resin; an imaging means for displaying a contour of a two-dimensional image with a transparent region inside the contour; a light source device for projecting light onto a surface of the liquid photosensitive resin through the transparent region to cure the liquid photosensitive resin; wherein, the imaging means is disposed between the container and the light source device; the light source device is a area light source emitting substantially panel light. | 10-15-2015 |
20150314528 | INCREASED INTER-LAYER BONDING IN 3D PRINTING - Inter-layer bonding in objects manufactured by 3D printing techniques is improved by one or more targeted heat sources (THSs) that preheat a targeted portion of existing object material before additional material is added to the object. 3D Printing is also improved, optimized or calibrated by pre- or post-heating a targeted area. THS elements may be fixed, mobile, or a combination thereof to apply heat to targeted areas. A THS may be integrated in or as an add-on to an existing 3D printer. A THS controller may use 3D printer information, such as a current direction or a future direction of printing, to select one or more THSs and to perform other targeted heat operations, such as setting energy levels, aiming, moving, etc. Properties, e.g., strength, of 3D printed objects with improved interlayer bonding may, for example, be several multiples better than the same object printed without improved interlayer bonding. | 11-05-2015 |
20150314532 | INCREASED INTER-LAYER BONDING IN 3D PRINTING - Inter-layer bonding in objects manufactured by 3D printing techniques is improved by one or more targeted heat sources (THSs) that preheat a targeted portion of existing object material before additional material is added to the object. 3D Printing is also improved, optimized or calibrated by pre- or post-heating a targeted area. THS elements may be fixed, mobile, or a combination thereof to apply heat to targeted areas. A THS may be integrated in or as an add-on to an existing 3D printer. A THS controller may use 3D printer information, such as a current direction or a future direction of printing, to select one or more THSs and to perform other targeted heat operations, such as setting energy levels, aiming, moving, etc. Properties, e.g., strength, of 3D printed objects with improved interlayer bonding may, for example, be several multiples better than the same object printed without improved interlayer bonding. | 11-05-2015 |
20150314534 | Large Shells Manufacturing Apparatus - The current document discloses an apparatus and method that support manufacture of large 3D hollow objects or shells with thin walls including curved surfaces with high and low curvature change ratio and alleviate or significantly reduce the need for support structures. Further to this, introduction of support structures becomes a function of the curved surface curvature change ratio. | 11-05-2015 |
20150321421 | METHOD FOR DETECTING CHARACTERISTIC OF FORMING MATERIAL AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING APPARATUS - A method for detecting a characteristic of a forming material and a three-dimensional printing apparatus are provided. The three-dimensional printing apparatus includes a tank filled with a liquid forming material, and the method includes the following. The tank is controlled to swing to cause a wave motion on a liquid surface of the liquid forming material. The wave motion of the liquid forming material is detected to obtain detection waveform information. The detection waveform information and sample waveform information are compared with each other to obtain a characteristic comparison result. A predefined operation is executed according to the characteristic comparison result. | 11-12-2015 |
20150328832 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING APPARATUS, MODEL, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A MODEL - A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes: a stage; a regulating body having a surface including a linear region along a first direction and being arranged to face the stage so that the linear region of the surface comes closest to the stage; a supply nozzle configured to supply a material to be cured by energy of an energy beam to a slit region which is a region between the stage and the linear region; a movement mechanism configured to move the regulating body and the stage relative to each other along a second direction other than the first direction to form a cured layer of the material for at least one layer; and an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the material supplied from the supply nozzle to the slit region with the energy beam under a state in which the stage and the regulating body rest relative to each other. | 11-19-2015 |
20150328833 | STEREOLITHOGRAPHY RAPID PROTOTYPING APPARATUS AND METHOD - The present invention discloses a stereolithography rapid prototyping apparatus and method thereof. The stereolithography rapid prototyping apparatus comprises a container for receiving a photo-reactive resin in fluid state, an imaging means for displaying two-dimensional digital images and a light source for causing said photo-reactive resin in fluid state to undergo polymerization. Said container and said light source are disposed at the different sides of said imaging means respectively. According to embodiments of the present invention, the light path are formed only by the light source and the imaging means, the position relationship are simple, the light path is simple, there is no time delay, the curing effect can be improved accordingly. | 11-19-2015 |
20150328834 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A HOMOGENEOUS LIGHT DISTRIBUTION - The invention relates to a method for producing a homogenised distribution of light quantity with a spatial light modulator that comprises a multitude of controllable and tiltable micro-mirrors that are arranged in rows and columns, in which the light of a spatially emitting light source is projected by means of an optical system and an illuminated field of the projected light source is guided over a projection surface, whereby, towards the middle of the illuminated field, an increasing number of pixels is not being illuminated such that the time integral attains a homogenisation of the light intensity of all pixels that are illuminated on the projection surface. The invention also relates to a rapid prototyping method, in which a liquid light-curing plastic material is illuminated by means of a method of this type, preferably is illuminated by UV light, whereby the illuminated field is projected onto the surface of the plastic material and the plastic material is cured through the illumination of the illuminated field. | 11-19-2015 |
20150336298 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING COMPONENTS USED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES - Methods of manufacturing wearable articles include: (a) performing a scan of a body part of a user on which the wearable article will be worn; (b) creating a virtual design of a mold insert configured to mold the wearable article, based on the scan; (c) saving the virtual design in a data file; (d) fabricating the mold insert using a laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, and stereolithography technique; (e) inserting the mold insert into a mold; (f) inserting moldable material into a cavity created at least in part by the mold insert; (g) molding the moldable material to produce the wearable article; and (h) removing the wearable article from the mold. The wearable article may include a portion of an article of footwear, such as a portion of a shoe sole. | 11-26-2015 |
20150343704 | Method And Apparatus For Three Dimensional Printing Of Colored Objects - Systems, computer readable media, and methods for printing of 3D objects in color are disclosed. In general, a 3D object may be produced and colored by a 3D printer using the same digital 3D model. The digital model for a desired 3D object may be revised to include a process for coloring the object by the 3D printer. In one embodiment, this may involve coloring to the object after it has been made. In an alternative embodiment, color may be added as the object is being made. Because the 3D model provides knowledge of the surface, contours and all the coordinates of the 3D object being printed, the object can be colored using the same digital model. | 12-03-2015 |
20150343710 | LIVING BODY TISSUE THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL AND PRODUCTION METHOD THEREFOR - An internal tissue including a lesion region in the human body is modeled as a three-dimensional model. By reconstructing thickness or flexibility of a lumen wall portion including the lesion region and making it possible to confirm a motion of the lumen wall or a flow of fluid in the inside of the lumen wall, a state of the lesion region in the lumen can be confirmed clearly by visual inspection or the like. As a result, the diagnosis in the lumen can be made easier. | 12-03-2015 |
20150344682 | COMPOSITIONS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTING - A composition for three-dimensional printing includes a liquid, curable, cross-linkable monomer, solid thermoplastic particles mixed with the liquid, curable, cross-linkable monomer, and a light sensitive initiator mixed with the liquid, curable, cross-linkable monomer. The solid thermoplastic particles have a size ranging from about 200 nm to about 50 μm. | 12-03-2015 |
20150352782 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE OF 3D OBJECTS - The current three-dimensional object manufacturing technique relies on the deposition of a pseudoplastic material in gel aggregate state. The gel flows through a deposition nozzle because the applied agitation and pressure shears the bonds and induces a breakdown in the material elasticity. The elasticity recovers immediately after leaving the nozzle, and the gel solidifies to maintain its shape and strength. | 12-10-2015 |
20150352788 | RESIN CONTAINER FOR STEREOLITHOGRAPHY - According to some aspects, a storage unit for storing a photopolymer resin is provided. The storage unit may comprise a photopolymer resin, a bottom face comprising at least one region of actinically transparent material, the actinically transparent material being actinically transparent with respect to the photopolymer resin, at least one wall extending upwards from said bottom face comprising at least one region of actinically opaque material, the actinically opaque material being actinically opaque with respect to the photopolymer resin, and a lid comprising the actinically opaque material and removably connectable to the at least one wall. | 12-10-2015 |
20150360421 | SUPPORT STRUCTURES FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF SOLID MODELS - Systems and methods for support structures for additive manufacturing of solid models. A method includes receiving a solid model, for a physical object to be manufactured, that includes a plurality of boundary representation surfaces. The method includes analyzing the b-rep surfaces to generate point samples for potential support locations. The method includes clustering points on the solid model, corresponding to at least some of the point samples, to create support locations. The method includes generating column supports in the solid model that connect to the original solid model at the support locations. The method includes storing the solid model, including the column supports. | 12-17-2015 |
20150367572 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT CONSTRUCTION - An example method for constructing a three-dimensional object in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes projecting an image of a section of a three-dimensional object on a building plane through a projection unit, forming a cured section by irradiating laterally an interface of a photopolymerizable material on the building plane with light corresponding to the image of the section of the three-dimensional object, moving a support plane laterally to detach the cured section from the building plane resulting in a gap between the cured section and the building plane, and filling the gap between the cured section and the building plane with photopolymerizable material. | 12-24-2015 |
20160046072 | ACCELERATION OF STEREOLITHOGRAPHY - A method of forming a three-dimensional object by bottom-up three-dimensional fabrication by irradiating a polymerizable liquid to produce the three-dimensional object, is described. In the method: (i) a Lewis acid or an oxidizable tin salt (e.g., stannous octoate) is included in said polymerizable liquid in an amount effective to accelerate the formation of said three-dimensional object during said fabrication; and/or (i) the three-dimensional object is irradiated after forming to further polymerize unpolymerized material remaining in the three-dimensional object. | 02-18-2016 |
20160046075 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING WITH SUPPORTED BUILD PLATES - A method of forming a three-dimensional object includes: providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid, and advancing said carrier away from said build surface to form said three-dimensional object from said solid polymer. The irradiating step includes projecting focused light at the build region, and the advancing step is carried out at a rate that is dependent on an average light intensity of the focused light. | 02-18-2016 |
20160046831 | 3D PRINTING WITH PHT/PHA BASED MATERIALS AND POLYMERIZABLE MONOMERS - This application describes methods of forming an object. The methods described include forming a mixture with i) one or more primary diamines, ii) one or more polymerizable monomers, iii) a formaldehyde-type reagent, and iv) a polymerization initiator; forming a gel by heating the mixture to a temperature of at least 50° C.; and curing the one or more polymerizable monomers by activating the polymerization initiator. The one or more primary diamines may include one or more amine functional oligomers and/or primary aromatic diamine small molecules. The one or more polymerizable monomers may include styrenics, acrylates, methacrylates, vinyl esters, unsaturated polyesters, and derivatives thereof. The gel is a polyhemiaminal (PHA), a polyhexahydrotriazine (PHT), and/or a polyoctatriazacane (POTA) polymer, and curing of the gel forms an interpenetrating network of the PHA/PHT/POTA and the polymer formed from the polymerizable monomers. | 02-18-2016 |
20160052205 | TECHNIQUES FOR APPLYING A PEEL OPERATION DURING ADDITIVE FABRICATION AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided. The additive fabrication device may be configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material, and may comprise a build platform, a container, and a plurality of mechanical linkages each independently coupled to the container and configured to move the container relative to the build platform. | 02-25-2016 |
20160059482 | APPARATUS FOR MODELING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT AND METHOD FOR MODELING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT - An apparatus for modeling a three-dimensional object configured to model a three-dimensional object by a lamination modeling method includes a head for coloring, a head for modeling, a pair of flattening rollers and a main scanning driving unit. The main scanning driving unit is configured to enable at least the head for modeling to perform a main scanning operation in a first direction, which is one side direction of a main scanning direction, and at least the head for coloring to perform the main scanning operation in a second direction, which is the other side direction of the main scanning direction. The one flattening roller of the pair of flattening rollers flattens the three-dimensional object being modeled when the main scanning operation in the first direction is performed, and the other flattening roller flattens the three-dimensional object being modeled when the main scanning operation in the second direction is performed. | 03-03-2016 |
20160059484 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL FABRICATION - A method of forming a three-dimensional object, is carried out by (a) providing a carrier and a build plate, the build plate comprising a semipermeable member, the semipermeable member comprising a build surface with the build surface and the carrier defining a build region therebetween, and with the build surface in fluid communication by way of the semipermeable member with a source of polymerization inhibitor; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquidcontacting the build surface, (c) irradiating the build region through the build plate to produce a solid polymerized region in the build region, while forming or maintaining a liquid film release layer comprised of the polymerizable liquid formed between the solid polymerized region and the build surface, wherein the polymerization of which liquid film is inhibited by the polymerization inhibitor; and (d) advancing the carrier with the polymerized region adhered thereto away from the build surface on the build plate to create a subsequent build region between the polymerized region and the build surface while concurrently filling the subsequent build region with polymerizable liquid as in step (b). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described. | 03-03-2016 |
20160059485 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING - A method for three-dimensional printing for forming a three-dimensional structure on a moving platform is provided. The three-dimensional structure includes a shell portion and a foamy filling portion. The method includes the following: a digital shell model of the three-dimensional structure is built. Next, the digital shell model is sliced into a plurality of cross-section information. Next, a corresponding liquid forming material is cured on the moving platform according to the cross-section information to form a plurality of shell layers. Next, foaming process is performed on the liquid forming material to form a foamy forming material. Next, the foamy forming material located within the corresponding shell layers is cured to form a plurality of foamy filling layers. Afterward, the shell layers and the foamy filling layers are alternately formed on the moving platform and stacked to form the three-dimensional structure. A three-dimensional printing apparatus adopting the method is also provided. | 03-03-2016 |
20160059486 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL FABRICATION WITH FEED THROUGH CARRIER - A method of forming a three-dimensional object, is carried out by (a) providing a carrier and a build plate, the build plate comprising a semipermeable member, the semipermeable member comprising a build surface with the build surface and the carrier defining a build region therebetween, and with the build surface in fluid communication by way of the semipermeable member with a source of polymerization inhibitor; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid contacting the build surface; (c) irradiating the build region through the build plate to produce a solid polymerized region in the build region, while forming or maintaining a liquid film release layer comprised of the polymerizable liquid formed between the solid polymerized region and the build surface, the polymerization of which liquid film is inhibited by the polymerization inhibitor; and (d) advancing the carrier with the polymerized region adhered thereto away from the build surface on the build plate to create a subsequent build region between the polymerized region and the build surface; (e) wherein the carrier has at least one channel formed therein, and the filling step is carried out by passing or forcing the polymerizable liquid into the build region through the at least one channel. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described | 03-03-2016 |
20160059487 | CONTINUOUS LIQUID INTERPHASE PRINTING - A method of forming a three-dimensional object, comprises providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid; irradiating the build region through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid while concurrently advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form the three-dimensional object from the solid polymer, while also concurrently: (i) continuously maintaining a dead zone of polymerizable liquid in contact with the build surface, and (ii) continuously maintaining a gradient of polymerization zone between the dead zone and the solid polymer and in contact with each thereof, the gradient of polymerization zone comprising the polymerizable liquid in partially cured form. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described. | 03-03-2016 |
20160067918 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MAKING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT - Methods for making a three dimensional object are disclosed. The method includes positioning a nozzle of an additive manufacturing device within a support matrix, extruding a feed material through the nozzle and into the support matrix, and moving the nozzle in a three-dimensional pattern within the support matrix, while depositing the feed material, thereby forming the three-dimensional object within the support matrix. Systems for making the three-dimensional object in accordance with the methods are also disclosed. | 03-10-2016 |
20160067921 | THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING ADHESION REDUCTION USING PHOTOINHIBITION - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for three dimensional print adhesion reduction using photoinhibition include, in one aspect, a method including: moving a build plate in a vat of liquid including a photoactive resin; creating a photoinhibition layer within the liquid directly adjacent a window of the vat by directing a first light through the window into the liquid, the first light having a first wavelength selected to produce photoinhibition; and creating a solid structure on the build plate from the photoactive resin within a photoinitiation layer of the liquid by directing a second light through the window into the liquid, where the photoinitiation layer resides between the photoinhibition layer and the build plate, and the second light has a second wavelength different than the first wavelength. | 03-10-2016 |
20160067922 | THREE DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTING BY VOLUMETRIC ADDITION THROUGH SELECTIVE CURING OF A FLUID MATRIX - An apparatus for building a three dimensional (3D) object using volumetric addition. The apparatus includes a print chamber containing a volume of a curable resin. The apparatus includes a first and second curing energy sources outputting first and second beams of energy. The apparatus includes a controller operating targeting mechanisms to align the beams of energy to sequentially intersect at a plurality of curing positions associated with build volumes of a digital model of the 3D object. The energy sources may be lasers generating a desired amount of heat when their beams are crossed. The curable resin may be a heat-curable fluid curing when heated into a curing temperature range, and the amount of heat provided by intersected pairs of the first and second beams heats volumes of the heat-curable fluid, proximate to each of the curing positions only, to a temperature in the curing temperature range. | 03-10-2016 |
20160067928 | MULTILAYER FIBER REINFORCEMENT DESIGN FOR 3D PRINTING - A three-dimensional geometry is received, and sliced into layers. A first anisotropic fill tool path for controlling a three dimensional printer to deposit a substantially anisotropic fill material is generated defining at least part of an interior of a first layer. A second anisotropic fill tool path for controlling a three dimensional printer to deposit the substantially anisotropic fill material defines at least part of an interior of a second layer. A generated isotropic fill material tool path defines at least part of a perimeter and at least part of an interior of a third layer intervening between the first and second layers. | 03-10-2016 |
20160096324 | PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS - A fabrication process and apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects by depositing a first polymer layer, printing a first ink layer on to the first polymer layer, depositing a second polymer layer on to the first ink layer, and printing a second ink layer on to the second polymer layer. The deposition and printing steps may be repeated until a three-dimensional object is formed. The inks used to form at least one of the first and second ink layers may include dyes or pigments so that the three-dimensional object may be a colored three-dimensional object. | 04-07-2016 |
20160101569 | METHOD FOR FORMING AN IMPELLER HOUSING FOR AN APPLIANCE - A method for forming an impeller housing for an appliance is provided. The method includes establishing three-dimensional information of the impeller housing, converting the three-dimensional information of the impeller housing into a plurality of slices, and successively forming each cross-sectional layer of the impeller housing with an additive process. The additive process may permit formation of various features of the impeller housing. | 04-14-2016 |
20160107331 | FUNCTIONAL INORGANICS AND CERAMIC ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING - The present disclosure relates to systems, methods and resins for additive manufacturing. In one embodiment, a method for additive manufacturing of a ceramic structure includes providing a resin including a preceramic polymer and inorganic ceramic filler particles dispersed in the preceramic polymer. The preceramic polymer is configured to convert to a ceramic phase. The method includes functionalizing inorganic ceramic filler particles with a reactive group and applying an energy source to the resin to create at least one layer of the ceramic phase from the resin. | 04-21-2016 |
20160107380 | THREE DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTER WITH NEAR INSTANTANEOUS OBJECT PRINTING USING A PHOTO-CURING LIQUID - An apparatus or three dimensional (3D) printer is provided for generating a 3D object. The apparatus includes a print chamber and a liquid print matrix such as a photo-curing resin positioned in the print chamber. The apparatus includes an optical assembly focusing light into the print chamber in the form of a real image whose light initiates curing processes for a volume of the liquid print matrix to form the 3D object. The light focused into the print chamber has a wavelength within a wavelength curing range for the photo-curing resin. The real image may be formed using an optical assembly reflecting or redirecting and focusing light reflected from outer surfaces of an existing 3D object. The real image may also be provided in the form of a volumetric image displayed by a volumetric display device displaying planes of a 3D digital model or image of a 3D object. | 04-21-2016 |
20160107383 | SOLID FREEFORM FABRICATION OF SHELLED OBJECTS - A method of layerwise solid freeform fabrication is disclosed. The method comprises, for each of at least a few of the layers, dispensing and hardening at least a first modeling material and a second modeling material to form a core region and one or more envelope regions at least partially surrounding the core region. In some embodiments, the ratio between the elastic moduli of adjacent regions, when hardened, is from about 1 to about 20. | 04-21-2016 |
20160114530 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE - A method for producing a three-dimensional structure ( | 04-28-2016 |
20160137838 | METHODS OF PRODUCING POLYURETHANE THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS FROM MATERIALS HAVING MULTIPLE MECHANISMS OF HARDENING - A method of forming a three-dimensional object of polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer thereof is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid including at least one of: (i) a blocked or reactive blocked prepolymer, (ii) a blocked or reactive blocked diisocyanate, or (iii) a blocked or reactive blocked diisocyanate chain extender; (c) irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent member to form a solid blocked polymer scaffold and advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form a three-dimensional intermediate having the same shape as, or a shape to be imparted to, the three-dimensional object, with the intermediate containing the chain extender; and then (d) heating or microwave irradiating the three-dimensional intermediate sufficiently to form from the three-dimensional intermediate the three-dimensional object of polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer thereof. | 05-19-2016 |
20160144563 | BUILD PLATFORM THAT PROVIDES MECHANICAL ENGAGEMENT WITH ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PRINTS - A build platform and methods of fabricating an article with such a platform in an extrusion-type additive manufacturing machine are provided. A platform body | 05-26-2016 |
20160151974 | IMPROVED CARTRIDGE FOR FEEDING A STEREOLITHOGRAPHY MACHINE, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY MACHINE COMPRISING SAID CARTRIDGE AND STEREOLITHOGRAPHY METHOD EMPLOYING SAID MACHINE | 06-02-2016 |
20160159009 | COMBINED THERMAL AND UV/VISIBLE LIGHT CURING STEREOLITHOGRAPHY - A process, material, and apparatus are provided for effectuating thermal stereolithography utilizing combined thermal and ultraviolet and/or visible light curing. In an embodiment, the process may include providing a material including a thermoplastic component and a thermosetting component. The process may also include heating the material to at least partially flow the thermoplastic component. The process may also include dispensing the material in a plurality of layers to form a desired three dimensional object. The process may further include illuminating the material with electromagnetic radiation to at least partially polymerize the thermosetting component. | 06-09-2016 |
20160185045 | Voxel 3D Printer - An example system includes: (i) a resin container defining a cavity; (ii) a plurality of rods extending from an inner base surface of the resin container and into the cavity; (iii) a plurality of light sources arranged to emit radiation into the plurality of rods, such that when the cavity contains liquid resin, radiation passing through a given one of the rods cures liquid resin that surrounds the given rod; and (iv) a control system configured to: (a) receive data specifying a three-dimensional structure; (b) determine a shape for a layer of a plurality of layers that collectively form the three-dimensional structure; and (c) determine one or more of the light sources that correspond to the shape of the layer; and (d) form the layer by operating the one or more determined light sources that correspond to the shape of the layer. | 06-30-2016 |
20160200042 | METHOD OF STEREOLITHOGRAPHY FABRICATION AND PHOTO-CURING PHOTOSENSITIVE RESIN | 07-14-2016 |
20160200044 | CARTRIDGE-BASED 3D PRINTING SYSTEM | 07-14-2016 |
20160200052 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING WITH BUILD PLATES HAVING SURFACE TOPOLOGIES FOR INCREASING PERMEABILITY AND RELATED METHODS | 07-14-2016 |
20160250807 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING MULTI-LAYER ADDRESSABLE CURING OF ULTRAVIOLET (UV) LIGHT CURABLE INKS FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTED PARTS AND COMPONENTS | 09-01-2016 |
20160250808 | System and Method for Printing Three Dimensional Objects | 09-01-2016 |
20180022019 | THREE DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTING OF EPOXY, HARDENER, AND PARTS OF AN OBJECT TO BE ASSEMBLED LATER | 01-25-2018 |
20180022034 | FABRICATION OF THREE DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS WITH MULTIPLE OPERATING MODES | 01-25-2018 |
20180022041 | LAYER ORIENTATION CONTROL FOR PIXEL-BASED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING | 01-25-2018 |
20190143584 | METHODS OF NANOMANUFACTURING AT FLUID INTERFACES AND SYSTEMS FOR SAME | 05-16-2019 |
20190143587 | FOIL PART WARP COMPENSATION FOR MOBILE LARGE SCALE ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING USING FOIL-BASED BUILD MATERIALS | 05-16-2019 |
20220134641 | RADIATION CURABLE COMPOSITIONS FOR ADDITIVE FABRICATION WITH IMPROVED TOUGHNESS AND HIGH TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE - Radiation curable compositions for additive fabrication with improved toughness are described and claimed. Such resins include a rubber toughenable base resin package and a liquid, phase-separating toughening agent. The rubber toughenable base resin, which may possess a suitably high average molecular weight between crosslinks and may be a pre-reacted hydrophobic macromolecule, may further include a cationically polymerizable component, a radically polymerizable component, a cationic photoinitiator, a free radical photoinitiator, and customary additives. Also described and claimed are methods for forming a three-dimensional objects using such radiation curable compositions for additive fabrication with improved toughness, along with the three-dimensional parts created therefrom. | 05-05-2022 |
20220134657 | TRANSPORTABLE ASSEMBLY UNIT FOR AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING DEVICE - Component carrier for an additive manufacturing device, wherein the component carrier comprises a construction surface, on which a component to be manufactured is disposed during the operation of the manufacturing device, wherein the component carrier comprises a sealing surface which radially surrounds the construction surface, and method for post-processing a component manufactured according to an additive manufacturing process using such a component carrier. | 05-05-2022 |