公开(公告)号：US20220032547A1

公开(公告)日：2022-02-03

申请号：US17386143

申请日：2021-07-27

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Carlos Ruiz-Vargas ,  Robb Morgan

IPC: B29C64/386 ,  B33Y50/00 ,  G05B19/4099

Abstract: Techniques are described for calibrating an optical system in an additive fabrication device using an image of the build surface within the device. These techniques allow calibration to be performed by imaging one or more calibration features generated on (or at) the build surface, which may include illuminated regions of the build surface, regions of the build surface on which solid material has been formed, and/or regions of the build surface to which energy has otherwise been directed thereby making those regions distinguishable from their surroundings. The calibration features may be produced (at least in part) by the optical system to be calibrated. The location of the calibration features within the image may be compared with the intended location of these calibration features, and corrections to the optical system determined based on any differences between the actual and intended locations.

公开(公告)号：US20230311419A1

公开(公告)日：2023-10-05

申请号：US18191227

申请日：2023-03-28

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Luke Plummer ,  Maria Rosa Ruiz ,  Carlos Ruiz-Vargas ,  Robert Morgan ,  Joseph Johnson ,  Connor Evans

IPC: B29C64/343 ,  B29C64/329 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y40/00

CPC classification number: B29C64/343 ,  B29C64/329 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y40/00

Abstract: Techniques are described for consistently moving powder from a hopper into a trough for subsequent delivery into a build area of an additive fabrication system. A powder conveyer may be arranged at least partially within the hopper and configured to be actuated to transfer powder to the trough. The powder conveyer may be formed as a screw conveyor, for example. Such techniques do not require complex closed-loop control systems and may be effective irrespective of the flowability of the powder. In at least some cases, there may be no production of excess powder because the amount of powder that is metered into the trough may be precisely controlled to be the amount needed for recoating.

公开(公告)号：US12011881B2

公开(公告)日：2024-06-18

申请号：US17386143

申请日：2021-07-27

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Carlos Ruiz-Vargas ,  Robb Morgan

IPC: B29C64/393 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  G05B19/4099 ,  B33Y30/00

CPC classification number: B29C64/393 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  G05B19/4099 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  G05B2219/49023

Abstract: Techniques are described for calibrating an optical system in an additive fabrication device using an image of the build surface within the device. These techniques allow calibration to be performed by imaging one or more calibration features generated on (or at) the build surface, which may include illuminated regions of the build surface, regions of the build surface on which solid material has been formed, and/or regions of the build surface to which energy has otherwise been directed thereby making those regions distinguishable from their surroundings. The calibration features may be produced (at least in part) by the optical system to be calibrated. The location of the calibration features within the image may be compared with the intended location of these calibration features, and corrections to the optical system determined based on any differences between the actual and intended locations.

公开(公告)号：US20240017493A1

公开(公告)日：2024-01-18

申请号：US18337716

申请日：2023-06-20

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Luke Plummer ,  Maria Rosa Ruiz ,  Carlos Ruiz-Vargas ,  Robert Morgan ,  Joseph Johnson ,  Connor Evans

IPC: B29C64/343 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B29C64/329 ,  B22F12/57 ,  B22F12/52

CPC classification number: B29C64/343 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B29C64/329 ,  B22F12/57 ,  B22F12/52 ,  B33Y10/00

Abstract: Techniques are described for consistently moving powder from a hopper into a trough for subsequent delivery into a build area of an additive fabrication system. A powder delivery apparatus may comprise a hopper, a trough, and a doser. The doser may be configured to rotate about an axis and may include a recess that, when the doser is rotated about the axis, travels into and out of the hopper and into and out of the trough. As a result, when powder is present in the hopper, the recess may carry powder from the hopper to the trough when the doser rotates. The trough and doser may be configured so that when the trough contains the desired amount of powder for recoating, the doser does not transfer additional material from the hopper into the trough. As a result, the amount of powder in the trough may be self-regulating.

公开(公告)号：US20240416589A1

公开(公告)日：2024-12-19

申请号：US18664019

申请日：2024-05-14

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Carlos Ruiz-Vargas ,  Robb Morgan

IPC: B29C64/393 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  G05B19/4099

Abstract: Techniques are described for calibrating an optical system in an additive fabrication device using an image of the build surface within the device. These techniques allow calibration to be performed by imaging one or more calibration features generated on (or at) the build surface, which may include illuminated regions of the build surface, regions of the build surface on which solid material has been formed, and/or regions of the build surface to which energy has otherwise been directed thereby making those regions distinguishable from their surroundings. The calibration features may be produced (at least in part) by the optical system to be calibrated. The location of the calibration features within the image may be compared with the intended location of these calibration features, and corrections to the optical system determined based on any differences between the actual and intended locations.

公开(公告)号：US11685118B2

公开(公告)日：2023-06-27

申请号：US17326700

申请日：2021-05-21

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Luke Plummer ,  Maria Rosa Ruiz ,  Carlos Ruiz-Vargas ,  Robert Morgan ,  Joseph Johnson ,  Connor Evans

IPC: B29C67/00 ,  B29C64/343 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B29C64/329 ,  B22F12/57 ,  B22F12/52 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B22F10/28

CPC classification number: B29C64/343 ,  B22F12/52 ,  B22F12/57 ,  B29C64/329 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B33Y10/00

Abstract: Techniques are described for consistently moving powder from a hopper into a trough for subsequent delivery into a build area of an additive fabrication system. A powder delivery apparatus may comprise a hopper, a trough, and a doser. The doser may be configured to rotate about an axis and may include a recess that, when the doser is rotated about the axis, travels into and out of the hopper and into and out of the trough. As a result, when powder is present in the hopper, the recess may carry powder from the hopper to the trough when the doser rotates. The trough and doser may be configured so that when the trough contains the desired amount of powder for recoating, the doser does not transfer additional material from the hopper into the trough. As a result, the amount of powder in the trough may be self-regulating.