The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 28, 2023
Filed:
Sep. 11, 2019
Divergent Technologies, Inc., Los Angeles, CA (US);
Samuel Noah Miller, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Michael Thomas Kenworthy, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Eric Paul Monteith, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Thomas Samuel Bowden, Jr., Los Angeles, CA (US);
DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
3-D build jobs having surrogate supports, 3-D printers using surrogate supports, and techniques to support vulnerable regions of build pieces using surrogate supports are disclosed. The surrogate supports are generated in a first material configuration and are offset via a gap from the vulnerable regions. The gap comprises a second material configuration, such as loose or partially fused powder on which the build piece can be supported during 3-D printing. In alternative embodiments, the gap instead includes thin manual ties or a solid body using material that is stronger but more amenable to breaking off without damaging the build piece. Post-processing steps are dramatically reduced as the surrogate supports and gaps facilitate virtually error-free separation from the build piece. In an embodiment, the surrogate supports include a support structure extending to a fixed base underneath, the fixed base being a build plate or a global surrogate.