US 12,070,907 B2
Three-dimensional objects and their formation
Tasso Lappas, Pasadena, CA (US); Evgeni Levin, Rehovot (IL); and Benyamin Buller, Cupertino, CA (US)
Assigned to Velo3D, Freemont, CA (US)
Filed by Velo3D, Inc., Fremont, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/209,603.
Application 18/209,603 is a continuation of application No. 18/108,059, filed on Feb. 10, 2023, abandoned.
Application 18/108,059 is a continuation of application No. 17/972,641, filed on Oct. 25, 2022, abandoned.
Application 17/972,641 is a continuation of application No. 17/858,209, filed on Jul. 6, 2022, abandoned.
Application 17/858,209 is a continuation of application No. 17/708,397, filed on Mar. 30, 2022, abandoned.
Application 17/708,397 is a continuation of application No. 17/552,788, filed on Dec. 16, 2021, abandoned.
Application 17/552,788 is a continuation of application No. 17/466,158, filed on Sep. 3, 2021, abandoned.
Application 17/466,158 is a continuation of application No. 17/322,142, filed on May 17, 2021, abandoned.
Application 17/322,142 is a continuation of application No. 17/165,289, filed on Feb. 2, 2021, abandoned.
Application 17/165,289 is a continuation of application No. 17/071,082, filed on Oct. 15, 2020, abandoned.
Application 17/071,082 is a continuation of application No. 16/917,933, filed on Jul. 1, 2020, abandoned.
Application 16/917,933 is a continuation of application No. 16/825,696, filed on Mar. 20, 2020, abandoned.
Application 16/825,696 is a continuation of application No. 16/686,045, filed on Nov. 15, 2019, abandoned.
Application 16/686,045 is a continuation of application No. 15/719,229, filed on Sep. 28, 2017, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/402,634, filed on Sep. 30, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2024/0042698 A1, Feb. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. B29C 64/393 (2017.01); B22F 10/80 (2021.01); B22F 12/90 (2021.01); B28B 17/00 (2006.01); B29C 64/10 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01); G05B 19/4099 (2006.01); G06F 30/10 (2020.01); G06F 30/20 (2020.01); G06T 19/00 (2011.01); G06T 19/20 (2011.01); B22F 10/25 (2021.01); B22F 10/28 (2021.01); B22F 10/31 (2021.01); B22F 10/36 (2021.01); B22F 10/366 (2021.01); B22F 10/64 (2021.01); B22F 10/66 (2021.01); B22F 10/85 (2021.01); B22F 12/41 (2021.01); B28B 1/00 (2006.01); G06F 30/00 (2020.01); G06F 113/10 (2020.01); G06N 20/00 (2019.01)
CPC B29C 64/393 (2017.08) [B22F 10/80 (2021.01); B22F 12/90 (2021.01); B28B 17/0081 (2013.01); B29C 64/10 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12); G05B 19/4099 (2013.01); G06F 30/10 (2020.01); G06F 30/20 (2020.01); G06T 19/00 (2013.01); G06T 19/20 (2013.01); B22F 10/25 (2021.01); B22F 10/28 (2021.01); B22F 10/31 (2021.01); B22F 10/36 (2021.01); B22F 10/366 (2021.01); B22F 10/64 (2021.01); B22F 10/66 (2021.01); B22F 10/85 (2021.01); B22F 12/41 (2021.01); B28B 1/001 (2013.01); G05B 2219/35134 (2013.01); G05B 2219/49007 (2013.01); G06F 30/00 (2020.01); G06F 2113/10 (2020.01); G06N 20/00 (2019.01); G06T 2219/2021 (2013.01); Y02P 10/25 (2015.11)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object, the apparatus comprising at least one controller configured to:
(a) couple to a power source and operatively couple to a 3D printer;
(b) direct the 3D printer to print a test object using a first set of printing instructions generated at least in part by employing a simulation of a physics model simulating the printing of the 3D object by the 3D printer, the physics model employing a first mode estimating alteration in the 3D object printed as a result of the printing, the first mode being of a plurality of modes, each of the plurality of modes representing a plausible alteration of the 3D object (A) during the printing and/or (B) as a result of the printing, the physics model further employing (I) a geometric model of the 3D object and (II) a material property of the 3D object;
(c) compare, or direct comparison, between (i) a simulated test object generated at least in part by using the physics model and (ii) an image of the test object printed using the printing instructions, to generate a comparison;
(d) use, or direct use of, the comparison to adjust the physics model at least in part by choosing a second mode of the plurality of modes that best fits the test object printed, to generate an adjusted physics model; and
(e) direct the 3D printer to print the 3D object using a second set of printing instructions generated at least in part by employing the adjusted physics model.