Nanotek Instruments, Inc.

Junsheng Yang

Bor Z Jang

Junhai Liu

Liangwei Wu

Lijun Pan

Liang Wei Wu

Shizhu Chen

A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional object. The process comprises the steps of (1) positioning a material deposition sub-system a selected distance from a target surface, (2) operating this sub-system to deposit materials onto the target surface by carrying out the sub-steps of (a) operating a multiple-channel powder delivery device for supplying selected powder compositions at a predetermined flow rate to travel toward the target surface and (b) operating a focused energy beam to produce a fusion zone through which the powder particles, preferably in micron or nanometer sizes, are melted while in flight, thereby producing liquid droplets traveling to deposit onto the target surface, and (3) during the material deposition process, moving the deposition sub-system and the target surface relative to one another along selected directions in a plane defined by first and second coordinate directions and in a third direction orthogonal to this plane to form deposition materials into a three dimensional shape. These steps are preferably executed under the control of a computer system. Preferably, the system is also operated to generate a support structure for any un-supported feature of the object.

Layer manufacturing using deposition of fused droplets

A freeform fabrication method for making a three-dimensional food object from a design created on a computer, including: (a) providing a support member by which the object is supported while being constructed; (b) operating a material dispensing head for dispensing a strand of food composition in a fluent state with this food composition comprising a volatile ingredient; (c) operating a material treatment device disposed near the strand of food composition to at least partially remove the volatile ingredient for causing the food composition to achieve a rigid state in which the food composition is built up in a 3-D shape of the object; and (d) operating control devices for generating control signals in response to coordinates of the design of the object and controlling the position of the dispensing head relative to the support member in response to the control signals to control dispensing of the food composition for constructing the object while supported with the support member. The method optionally includes an additional step of removing the residual volatile ingredient from the resulting 3-D shape or applying a heat treatment to the 3-D shape upon construction of this shape.

Method for rapidly making a 3-D food object

A freeform fabrication method for making a three-dimensional food object from a design created on a computer, including: (a) providing a support member by which the object is supported while being constructed; (b) operating a material dispensing head for dispensing a continuous or intermittent strand of food composition in a fluent state; this food composition including a liquid ingredient and a primary body-building food material and the dispensed food composition having a rigidity and strength sufficient for permitting the food composition to be built up layer by layer into a three-dimensional shape in a non-solid state; and (c) operating control devices for generating control signals in response to coordinates of the object design and controlling the position of the dispensing head relative to the support member in response to the control signals to control dispensing of the food composition to construct a 3-D shape of this object. The method optionally includes an additional step of applying a heat treatment to the 3-D shape after this 3-D shape is constructed. This method can be used to form an intricate shape of a cake mix, which is then baked in an oven. It can also be used to form a custom-designed decorative shape on the top surface of a pre-made cake.

Rapid prototyping and fabrication method for 3-D food objects

A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional reinforcement shape. The process comprises the steps of (1) operating a multiple-channel material deposition device for dispensing a liquid adhesive composition and selected reinforcement materials at predetermined proportions onto a work surface; (2) during the material deposition process, moving the deposition device and the work surface relative to each other in an X-Y plane defined by first and second directions and in a Z direction orthogonal to the X-Y plane so that the materials are deposited to form a first layer of the shape; (3) repeating these steps to deposit multiple layers for forming a three-dimensional preform shape; and (4) periodically hardening the adhesive to rigidize individual layers of the preform. These steps are preferably executed under the control of a computer system by taking additional steps of (5) creating a geometry of the shape on the computer with the geometry including a plurality of segments defining the preform shape and each segment being preferably coded with a reinforcement composition defining a specific proportion of different reinforcement materials; (6) generating programmed signals corresponding to each of the segments in a predetermined sequence; and (7) moving the deposition device and the work surface relative to each other in response to these programmed signals. Preferably, the system is also operated to generate a support structure for any un-supported feature of the 3-D preform shape.

Apparatus and process for freeform fabrication of composite reinforcement preforms

A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional object. The process includes the steps of (1) positioning a material deposition sub-system a selected distance from a target surface, (2) operating this sub-system to deposit materials onto the target surface by carrying out the sub-steps of (a) operating a multiple-channel fluid phase delivery device of the deposition sub-system for supplying multiple fluid compositions to a small region proximate the target surface and (b) operating a focused energy source to produce a phase change zone at this region, thereby inducing deposition of materials onto the target surface, and (3) during the material deposition process, moving the deposition sub-system and the target surface relative to one another in a plane defined by first and second directions and in a third direction orthogonal to this plane to form deposition materials into a three dimensional shape. These steps are preferably executed under the control of a computer system. Preferably, the system is also operated to generate a support structure for any unsupported feature of the object.

Layer manufacturing using focused chemical vapor deposition

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a rolling-type planetary ball mill apparatus for producing nanometer-scaled powders is disclosed, the apparatus comprising (a) a main rotary wheel comprising supporting members, (b) a plurality of mill pots which are revolvable by receiving a rotational force from the main rotary wheel through their corresponding supporting members, and are disposed around the main rotary wheel with substantially equal distance between one mill pot and another, each mill pot comprising a tiltable pivotal shaft having rotary coupling means so that the pot can also rotate about its own axis, each pivotal shaft having one end being supportably connected to its corresponding supporting member of the main rotary wheel; (c) motor means in drive relation to the main rotary wheel for providing rotational forces thereto; and (d) a non-revolvable counter-acting supporting ring disposed coaxially with the main rotary wheel and in the close, working vicinity of the mill pots; each tiltable pivotal shaft being capable of tilting toward the supporting ring permitting the pot to periodically contact with the ring, thereby inducing a planetary motion of the mill pot about its own axis. This apparatus provides much improved crushing forces and frequencies with which the grinding balls impact the powder materials inside the mill pots.

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Auburn, AL, United States of America

Junsheng Yang