Align Technology, Inc.

Yevgeniy Sirovskiy

James Clete Culp

Methods for manufacturing thermoformed objects are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes controlling a material transport system to move a material to a first location proximate to one or more heat sources. The method can include controlling the one or more heat sources to heat a first region of the material to a first temperature and heat a second region of the material to a second temperature. The method can also include controlling the material transport system to move the material to a second location proximate to an object forming element, and controlling the object forming element to form a dental appliance from the material.

Methods for manufacturing thermoformed objects

Systems for thermal forming an object are provided. In some embodiments, a system for thermal forming an object using a mold includes one or more processors, and memory including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform the following operations: receiving a mold identifier identifying the mold; determining mold process information for forming the object based on the mold identifier; inserting a material into a heating area, the material having a geometry selected based on the mold process information; heating the material using one or more independently controllable heat sources; and forming the object by disposing the heated material over or into at least a portion of the mold.

Systems for thermal forming an object

A method and system for thermal forming an object. A mold is provided, a shape of which corresponds to a desired shape of the object. A material is inserted into a heating area, and the material is heated using a plurality of independently controllable heat sources that heat different areas of the material. The heated material is then disposed over or into at least a portion of the mold so as to deform the material. The deformed material may then be trimmed so as to form the object.

Methods and systems for thermal forming an object

Methods for thermal forming an object are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes reading a mold identifier located on or in a mold, and determining mold process information from the mold identifier, the mold process information including heating information. The method can include heating a thermoformable material according to the heating information by adjusting power of one or more independently controllable heat sources. The method can also include monitoring one or more temperatures from a plurality of temperature sensing elements operably coupled to different areas of the thermoformable material. The thermoformable material can be heated according to the heating information and in response to the one or more monitored temperatures such that each of the different areas of the thermoformable material reach a respective desired temperature. The method can further include disposing the heated thermoformable material over at least a portion of the mold to form the object.

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Dublin, CA, United States of America

Yevgeniy Sirovskiy