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:
Apr. 12, 1994
Filed:
Mar. 22, 1993
John S Batchelder, Somers, NY (US);
Huntington W Curtis, Chelsea, NY (US);
Douglas S Goodman, Yorktown Heights, NY (US);
Franklin Gracer, Yorktown Heights, NY (US);
Robert R Jackson, Millbrook, NY (US);
George M Koppelman, New York, NY (US);
John D Mackay, Pound Ridge, NY (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and method for fabricating a three-dimensional object in accordance with a CAD-generated specification of the object. A closed-loop extrusion system (10) includes a nozzle (12) for extruding a material, such as a hot melt adhesive; apparatus (14, 18, 46) for controllably positioning the nozzle in accordance with the specification; and a sensor (60) for generating a feedback signal that is indicative of at least one characteristic of a most recently extruded portion of the material. Visual and non-visual feedback sensors may be employed, including optical sensors, infrared emission sensors, and proximity detection sensors. The specification of the object is converted to a bit-mapped representation thereof to improve accuracy relative to vector-based representations. Methods for determining a need for supporting structures and anti-aliasing features and for integrating the structures and features into the object specification are also disclosed.