3m Innovative Properties Company

Stratasys, Inc.

Timothy Diekmann

Clint Newell

Jason Robert Nixon

Thomas J Gilbert

Mark A Peltier

Ryan M Luepke

Neal C Rothwell

Peter J Bugeja

Mieczyslaw H Mazurek

Ronald Wayne Ausen

Thomas P Hanschen

William J Kopecky

G Marco Bommarito

Zhiming Zhou

Kurt C Melancon

Kristopher K Biegler

Michael L Tumey

Shou-Lu G Wang

Steven J Perron

Anthony M Kremer

Duane A Lunsford

A method for 3D printing a part with an additive manufacturing system includes printing a first portion of a part in a layerwise manner and analyzing a topology of the first portion of the part. The method includes determining a tool path for printing a second portion of the part on a surface of the first portion of the part, and pre-heating the first portion of the part along the tool path as a function of the topological analysis of the first portion of the part. The method includes printing the second portion of the part along the tool path.

Method of analyzing and utilizing surface topology for targeted local thermal management in additive manufacturing systems

A method of printing a 3D part with an additive manufacturing system includes printing a first portion of the part and pre-heating the first portion of the part along an upcoming tool path to a temperature at or above a material-specific bonding temperature and below a degradation temperature of the material. Material is extruding material onto the first portion along the pre-heated tool path while the temperature along the part surface remains at or above a material-specific bonding temperature and below the degradation temperature of the material thereby forming a newly extruded road. The method includes cooling the newly extruded road along the pre-heated tool path to remove heat imparted by the preheating step such that a thermally stable temperature is reached, wherein the preheating, extruding and cooling is performed in less than ten seconds.

Methods of printing 3D parts with localized thermal cycling

A method for additive manufacturing a part using fused deposition modeling 3D printing technology includes projecting a laser image from one or more laser emitters onto a previously printed bead or beads of thermoplastic material forming a portion of the part, along a tool path for a next bead in a subsequent part layer. The laser image has a width of between about 50% to 75% of a commanded beadwidth of the next bead, and is moved along a tool path that is generally transverse to the width thereof, to thereby selectively irradiate and heat the previously printed thermoplastic material to at least a bonding temperature thereof but below a degradation temperature. A bead of thermoplastic material is extruded from an extrusion head and deposited along the tool path while at least a top surface portion of the irradiated material remains at or above its bonding temperature, so that strong adhesion occurs between part layers.

Laser preheating in three-dimensional printing

Method and extrusion die () for producing a three-dimensional polymeric strand netting, wherein a plurality of the polymeric strands () are periodically joined together in a regular pattern at bond regions throughout the array, wherein a majority of the polymeric strands () are periodically bonded to at least two (three, four, five, six, or more) adjacent polymeric strands, and wherein no polymeric strands are continuously bonded to a polymeric strand. Three-dimensional polymeric strand netting described herein have a variety of uses, including wound care, tapes, filtration, absorbent articles, pest control articles, geotextile applications, water/vapor management in clothing, reinforcement for nonwoven articles, self bulking articles, floor coverings, grip supports, athletic articles, and pattern coated adhesives.

Three-dimensional polymeric strand netting, dies, and methods of making the same

A method of increasing a width of a polymeric netting is disclosed. The method includes providing a polymeric netting having a length in a machine direction and running the polymeric netting in the machine direction onto a stretchable surface. The polymeric netting is in contact with the stretchable surface for a path length in the machine direction, and for at least a portion of the path length, the stretchable surface is stretching in the cross-machine direction. The traction between the polymeric netting and the stretchable surface during the stretching increases the width of at least a portion of the polymeric netting in the cross-machine direction.

Method of separating strands on a stretching surface

A method of separating strands of a slit web is disclosed. The method includes providing a slit web having a length in a machine direction and running the slit web in the machine direction onto a stretchable surface. The slit web includes multiple strands provided by a plurality of slits extending in a first direction not parallel to a cross-machine direction. The slit web is in contact with the stretchable surface for a path length in the machine direction, and for at least a portion of the path length, the stretchable surface is stretching in the cross-machine direction. The traction between the slit web and the stretchable surface during the stretching at least partially separates at least some of the multiple strands of the slit web in a second direction transverse to the first direction. A method of increasing a width of a polymeric netting is also disclosed.

Priming compositions and methods, wherein the compositions include a polydiorganosiloxane polyurea copolymer comprising electron rich groups.

Silicone priming compositions, articles, and methods

Time or time-temperature indicating articles are described comprising a housing enclosing: (a) a first fluid reservoir at least partially filled with a first fluid; (b) a substrate comprising a plurality of channels; (c) a second fluid reservoir in fluid communication with at least one channel of the substrate; and (d) a barrier located between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir. The article can be manipulated at a desired point in time by opening the barrier to allow at least a portion of the fluid to flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir and to contact at least one channel of the substrate. The article is designed to provide an indication of the progress of the fluid as it moves through the channels of the substrate.

Growing community of inventors

Maplewood, MN, United States of America

Timothy Diekmann