3m Innovative Properties Company

Solventum Intellectual Properties Company

Kyle C Picha

Matthew H Frey

Mario Alberto Perez

Malte Korten

Christian A Richter

Bastian P Kirchner

Jeremy K Larsen

Victor Ho

Craig W Lindsay

Jeffrey N Bartow

Gareth A Hughes

Benjamin C MacMurray

Matthew T Johnson

Jacob P Podkaminer

Jesse J Gilles

Matthew T Lingscheit

Nicholas S Wren

Leif J Erickson

Eric H Tsai

A shaped thermal filler particle has an elongate shape defined by a substantially planar first smooth surface and a second smooth surface that contacts the substantially planar first smooth surface along a planar closed path. The planar closed path has a length to width ratio of at least 1.5. The shaped thermal filler particle has a maximum linear dimension normal to the planar first smooth surface that is less than or equal to one half of the length of the closed path. A thermally conductive composition comprises from 1 to 95 percent by volume of the shaped thermal filler particles dispersed in a binder. An assembly comprises a heat source, a heat sink, and the thermally conductive composition at least partially sandwiched between the heat source and the heat sink.

Thermal filler particle, thermally conductive composition, and assembly including the same

The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods for manufacturing three-dimensional objects. Each additive manufacturing apparatus () includes: a) a reservoir () for receiving hardenable material; b) a first movable light engine () providing a first light radiation configuration; a second light engine () providing a second light radiation configuration that is different than the first light radiation configuration; and d) a light altering structure (). The light altering structure is located between the reservoir and light radiated from at least one of the first movable light engine or the second light engine. The first movable light engine is configured to radiate light onto a first focal plane () within the reservoir containing the hardenable material and the second light engine is configured to radiate light onto a second focal plane () within the reservoir containing the hardenable material. The method includes: a) obtaining a hardenable material disposed in a reservoir; b) selectively radiating light having a first light radiation configuration from a first movable light engine; and c) selectively radiating light having a second light radiation configuration from a second light engine onto a second focal plane within the hardenable material. The apparatuses and methods can advantageously form objects having different resolutions on demand using the same apparatus, plus optionally can blend light from multiple light engines.

Additive manufacturing apparatus including two light engines and a light altering structure and a method of additive manufacturing a three-dimensional object

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Maplewood, MN, United States of America

Kyle C Picha