Z Corporation

3d Systems, Inc.

Inkbit, LLC

Walter Henry Zengerle, Iii

Joshua P Kinsley

Andrew Berlin

David B Russell

Benjamin Daniel Sweet-Block

Andres Tomas Hernandez

Robert Anthony Phillips

Thomas Davidson

Kevin Roche

Darul Kisai

William Fienup

Andres T Hernandes

Wojciech Matusik

James F Bredt

Desai Chen

Aaron Weber

Kiril Vidimce

Chris Korda

Peter Charles Conway

Dmitriy Katalichenko

A method and an apparatus are directed to characterizing a continuously moving 3D object via interferometry-based scanning. The method includes repeatedly forming several depth characterizations of the 3D object along respective scan lines of a plurality of scan lines on the surface of the 3D object. During this scanning, the 3D object is undergoing its continuous motion. The method further includes combining the determined depth characterization along the scan lines of the plurality of scan lines to form a depth map representing at least a depth of a portion associated with a location on the surface of the 3D object in the third direction on a grid of locations arranged in the first and second directions. Forming the depth characterizations includes scanning a frequency-dispersed pulsed optical signal in a first direction across the continuously moving 3D object, said 3D object moving in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The scanned optical signal forming scan lines on a surface of the 3D object in a third direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

High-speed metrology

The invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing three-dimensional objects and auxiliary systems used in conjunction with the aforementioned apparatus and methods. The apparatus and methods involve 3D printing and servicing of the equipment used in the associated 3D printer.

Apparatus and methods for servicing 3D printers

A three-dimensional printer uses inkjet-type printheads to rapidly prototype, or print, a three-dimensional model. A powder feeder includes a conveyor system and a metering system to deliver powder to a build area in measured quantities. The powder feeder also includes a vacuum system for loading powder into a feed reservoir or chamber. The vacuum system can also be used to cleanup excess powder. Other powder control features include powder gutters and magnetic powder plows. During printing, a cleaning system operates to remove powder from the printheads. In the event of a printhead or jet failure, the failure can be detected and corrective measures taken automatically. After printing, the model can be depowdered and infiltrated in an enclosure.

Three-dimensional printer

A three-dimensional printer includes multiple printheads for printing binder and/or colorant onto a bed of build material in a build chamber. The printheads can be mounted on a gantry that is designed for reciprocal displacement across a build chamber along a slow axis. The printheads, in turn, can reciprocally move across the gantry on a fast axis to enable displacement of the printheads along both the fast and slow axes so that the printheads can deposit binder liquid and/or colorant across the surface of a bed of build material in the build chamber.

Method and apparatus for prototyping a three-dimensional object

Growing community of inventors

Dedham, MA, United States of America

Walter Henry Zengerle, Iii