公开(公告)号：US11590689B2

公开(公告)日：2023-02-28

申请号：US17181404

申请日：2021-02-22

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Steven Thomas ,  Yoav Reches ,  Jason Livingston ,  Jeffery Morin ,  Caitlin Reyda

IPC: B29C64/10 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B29C64/379

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, actively bending the container around at least one fixed point such that the layer of material separates from the container. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus configured to form a plurality of layers of material is provided. The apparatus may comprise a container, a build platform, one or more force generators, and at least one controller configured to, subsequent to formation of a layer of material in contact with the container, actively bend the container around at least one fixed point via the one or more force generators, such that the layer of material separates from the container.

公开(公告)号：US20200164628A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-28

申请号：US16776664

申请日：2020-01-30

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Ben FrantzDale ,  Steven Thomas ,  Nicholas M. Sohn

IPC: B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B29C64/129 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B33Y10/00

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers are formed on a build platform, each layer contacting a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer, the method comprising calculating, using at least one processor, one or more forces to be applied to a first layer of the plurality of layers subsequent to the first layer being formed, said calculating being based at least in part on a determined area of at least one portion of the first layer that overhangs a second layer of the plurality of layers, forming the first layer, the first layer being in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of the plurality of layers, and separating the first layer from the container by applying the calculated one or more forces to the first layer.

公开(公告)号：US10569526B2

公开(公告)日：2020-02-25

申请号：US15248626

申请日：2016-08-26

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Ben FrantzDale ,  Steven Thomas ,  Nicholas M. Sohn

IPC: B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y10/00

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a surface of a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the surface of the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The method comprises forming a layer of material in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of material, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of the material, separating the layer of material from the container by simultaneously applying a first force to the layer of the material in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the build platform, and a second force to the layer of the material in a direction parallel to the surface of the build platform.

公开(公告)号：US20190240968A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-08

申请号：US16270724

申请日：2019-02-08

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Steven Thomas ,  Yoav Reches ,  Jason Livingston ,  Jeffery Morin ,  Caitlin Reyda

IPC: B33Y30/00 ,  B29C64/20 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B29C64/10

CPC classification number: B33Y30/00 ,  B29C64/10 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B29C64/20 ,  B29K2833/04 ,  B33Y10/00

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, actively bending the container around at least one fixed point such that the layer of material separates from the container. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus configured to form a plurality of layers of material is provided. The apparatus may comprise a container, a build platform, one or more force generators, and at least one controller configured to, subsequent to formation of a layer of material in contact with the container, actively bend the container around at least one fixed point via the one or more force generators, such that the layer of material separates from the container.

公开(公告)号：US20190118472A1

公开(公告)日：2019-04-25

申请号：US16163391

申请日：2018-10-17

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Eduardo Torrealba ,  Steven Thomas ,  Christopher Auld

IPC: B29C64/295 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B22F3/105 ,  B29C64/218 ,  B29C35/02 ,  B29C64/393

Abstract: Techniques for improved efficiency of sintering in additive fabrication are described. According to some aspects, mechanisms for depositing and leveling source material are combined with a mechanism for heating the material. In some embodiments, one or more heating elements may be arranged to lead and/or follow a material deposition mechanism such that heat may be applied to the build region in concert with deposition of material. As a result of this technique, the heating and depositing steps may be performed closer together in time and/or heat may be applied more directly to the material than in conventional systems. As a result, greater control over material temperature may be achieved, thereby avoiding excess temperature exposure and subsequent undesirable changes to the material.

公开(公告)号：US20180133973A1

公开(公告)日：2018-05-17

申请号：US15866766

申请日：2018-01-10

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Maxim Lobovsky ,  Steven Thomas ,  Benjamin FrantzDale

IPC: B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B29C64/20 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B29C64/386

CPC classification number: B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B29C64/20 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y50/02

Abstract: 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 may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, rotating the container relative to the build platform and moving the build platform relative to the container, thereby creating an effective fulcrum about an axis, wherein the rotating of the container and moving of the build platform causes the layer of material to separate from the container. According to some embodiments, the container may be configured to rotate about a fixed axis. According to some embodiments, moving the build platform may comprise moving the build platform toward the container.

公开(公告)号：US20240286355A1

公开(公告)日：2024-08-29

申请号：US18597061

申请日：2024-03-06

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Eduardo Torrealba ,  Steven Thomas ,  Christopher Auld

IPC: B29C64/295 ,  B22F10/22 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B22F10/47 ,  B22F10/73 ,  B22F12/13 ,  B22F12/49 ,  B22F12/52 ,  B22F12/55 ,  B22F12/63 ,  B22F12/67 ,  B29C35/02 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B29C64/205 ,  B29C64/218 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y50/02

CPC classification number: B29C64/295 ,  B22F12/13 ,  B29C35/02 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B29C64/205 ,  B29C64/218 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B22F10/22 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B22F10/47 ,  B22F10/73 ,  B22F12/49 ,  B22F12/52 ,  B22F12/55 ,  B22F12/63 ,  B22F12/67 ,  B29C2035/0283

Abstract: Techniques for improved efficiency of sintering in additive fabrication are described. According to some aspects, mechanisms for depositing and leveling source material are combined with a mechanism for heating the material. In some embodiments, one or more heating elements may be arranged to lead and/or follow a material deposition mechanism such that heat may be applied to the build region in concert with deposition of material. As a result of this technique, the heating and depositing steps may be performed closer together in time and/or heat may be applied more directly to the material than in conventional systems. As a result, greater control over material temperature may be achieved, thereby avoiding excess temperature exposure and subsequent undesirable changes to the material.

公开(公告)号：US11845229B2

公开(公告)日：2023-12-19

申请号：US17832170

申请日：2022-06-03

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Ben FrantzDale ,  Steven Thomas ,  Nicholas M. Sohn

IPC: B29C64/386 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B29C64/129

CPC classification number: B29C64/386 ,  B29C64/129 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y50/02

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers are formed on a build platform, each layer contacting a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer, the method comprising calculating, using at least one processor, one or more forces to be applied to a first layer of the plurality of layers subsequent to the first layer being formed, said calculating being based at least in part on a determined area of at least one portion of the first layer that overhangs a second layer of the plurality of layers, forming the first layer, the first layer being in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of the plurality of layers, and separating the first layer from the container by applying the calculated one or more forces to the first layer.

公开(公告)号：US20220363048A1

公开(公告)日：2022-11-17

申请号：US17832170

申请日：2022-06-03

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Ben FrantzDale ,  Steven Thomas ,  Nicholas M. Sohn

IPC: B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/129 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B29C64/135

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers are formed on a build platform, each layer contacting a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer, the method comprising calculating, using at least one processor, one or more forces to be applied to a first layer of the plurality of layers subsequent to the first layer being formed, said calculating being based at least in part on a determined area of at least one portion of the first layer that overhangs a second layer of the plurality of layers, forming the first layer, the first layer being in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of the plurality of layers, and separating the first layer from the container by applying the calculated one or more forces to the first layer.

公开(公告)号：US11351721B2

公开(公告)日：2022-06-07

申请号：US16869932

申请日：2020-05-08

Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

Inventor： Ian Ferguson ,  Konstantinos Oikonomopoulos ,  Steven Thomas ,  Benjamin FrantzDale ,  Nicholas M. Sohn ,  Maxim Lobovsky

IPC: B29C64/214 ,  B29C64/124 ,  B29C64/20 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B29C64/35 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B29K105/00

Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided 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. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.