Desktop Metal, Inc.

Other

Aaron Preston

Richard Burnham

John LaPlante

Richard Remo Fontana

Jay Tobia

Anastasios John Hart

Michael Andrew Gibson

Ricardo Fulop

Nicholas Mykulowycz

Nihan Tuncer

Alexander C Barbati

Systems and methods for forming an object using additive manufacturing. One method includes receiving a digital model of the object, predicting a shrinking characteristic or receiving a predicted shrinking characteristic of the object that will occur during thermal processing of the object, once formed, and generating, based on the shrinking characteristic of the object, instructions for forming a raft on which the object will be formed. The instructions for forming the raft are configured to form a raft having a shrinking characteristic that reflects the shrinking characteristic of the object.

Method for forming 3D printed objects with multi-layer rafts which optimize shrinkage

A system and corresponding method to move build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a gripper. The gripper is arranged to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material. The at least two opposing lateral forces are applied to the build material, in conjunction with linear motion of the gripper, for at least a portion of a path the build material travels toward an extrusion head.

System and method for moving build material using a gripper

Complexity of a geometry of a desired (i.e., target) three-dimensional (3D) object being produced by an additive manufacturing system, as well as atypical behavior of the processes employed by such a system, pose challenges for producing a final version of the desired 3D object with fidelity relative to the desired object. An example embodiment enables such challenges to be overcome as a function of feedback to enable the final version to be produced with fidelity. The feedback may be at least one value that is associated with at least one characteristic of a printed object following processing of the printed object. Such feedback may be obtained as part of a calibration process of the 3D printing system or as part of an operational process of the 3D printing system.

Additive manufacturing system with fabricated support structure facilitating contaminant removal

A camera assembly is employed in additive manufacturing to improve the fidelity of a printed object. The camera may scan the surface of a build plate of a 3D printer and an object as it is being printed to generate image data. The image data is processed to detect errors in the build plate or printed object. The printer compensates for the detected errors, which can including modifying the printer configuration and/or modifying the instructions for printing a given object. Using the updated configuration, subsequent objects may then be printed, under a corrected process, to produce an object with fidelity to an original object model.

Systems and methods for calibration feedback for additive manufacturing

A system and corresponding method to move a rod of build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a pusher. The rod of build material has distal and proximal ends relative to an extrusion head. The distal and proximal ends having distal and proximal end surfaces, respectively. The pusher engages with the rod and applies an axial force to at least a portion of the distal end surface of the rod for at least a portion of a path the rod travels toward the extrusion head. The axial force actuates the rod of build material without alteration, such as by shaving, fracturing, or otherwise deforming the rod of build material.

System and method for moving a rod of build material using a pusher in a 3D printing system

Calibration of 3D printer via computer vision

Frameless modular wall systems, frameless modular free-standing wall structures, and related methods are disclosed. The systems and structures include a plurality of panels including a wall portion and connector portions extending from opposing lateral sides of the wall portion, the connector portions each including a wide portion and a narrow portion extending between the wide portions and the panel portion. The systems and structures also include a plurality of connecting posts including connector slots configured to removably accept a connector portion of a panel therein, the connector slots each including a wide portion and a narrow portion corresponding to the wide portion and a narrow portion of the connector portions of the panels. When the plurality of panels and the plurality of connecting posts are removably coupled via the connector portions and the connector slots, the panels and connecting posts form a free-standing wall structure.

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, MA, United States of America

Aaron Preston