3D Systems has been granted a patent for a method of producing three-dimensional shaped objects through layer-by-layer material application. The process involves creating a mold using a first material that can dissolve in a solvent and a second, stronger material, enabling precise shaping and removal of excess material. GlobalData’s report on 3D Systems gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on 3D Systems, Spacecraft 3D Printing was a key innovation area identified from patents. 3D Systems's grant share as of June 2024 was 60%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Method for producing 3d objects using layered materials
The patent US12042982B2 outlines a method for producing three-dimensional shaped objects through a layered material application process. The method begins with the provision of geometry data for the object and a support part with a base surface. It utilizes a liquid or flowable first material that can be solidified, alongside a second material that is either liquid, paste-like, or powder-form, which possesses greater strength when solidified. The first material can be dissolved in a solvent. The process involves forming a negative-shape layer by applying the first material to the base surface, solidifying this layer to create a mold, and then filling the mold with the second material to form a shaped-object layer. The method includes steps for machining excess material, repeating the layering process, and dissolving the first material in the solvent.
Further claims detail the characteristics of the materials used, such as the viscosity and solids proportion of the first and second materials, and the application methods for both materials, including inkjet printing and selective coating. The patent also describes the use of various printing techniques to fill the cavities of the negative-shape layer with the second material, which may include thermoplastics that solidify upon cooling. Additionally, the method allows for the rotation of the support part during material application and solidification, enhancing the production process. Overall, the claims present a comprehensive approach to 3D object fabrication, emphasizing the interplay between different materials and application techniques to achieve desired structural properties.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
