Stratasys has filed a patent for a system that enables three-dimensional printing. The system includes an array of nozzles for dispensing building materials, a work tray, and a jig for affixing a fabric to the tray. A computerized controller operates the nozzles to dispense the building material in a pattern that corresponds to the shape of an object on the fabric. Additionally, the controller deposits droplets of an additive at specific locations on the fabric. GlobalData’s report on Stratasys 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 Stratasys, Spacecraft 3D Printing was a key innovation area identified from patents. Stratasys's grant share as of September 2023 was 59%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
A system for three-dimensional printing with fabric attachment
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230286217A1) describes a system for three-dimensional printing. The system includes a printing block, an array of nozzles for dispensing building materials, an additive dispensing system, a work tray, a jig for affixing fabric to the tray, and a computerized controller. The controller operates the array of nozzles to dispense building material in a configured pattern corresponding to the shape of an object on the fabric. It also deposits droplets of an additive at discrete locations on the fabric.
The system further includes a robotic mechanism connected to the jig, which is capable of flipping the orientation of the jig with respect to a horizontal plane. The computerized controller operates the array of nozzles to dispense building material onto the tray and operates the robotic mechanism to place the jig on the tray before dispensing building material on the affixed fabric.
The system also features a position tracking system that determines the position of the jig relative to the work tray. The computerized controller executes a registration procedure based on this position and operates the array of nozzles accordingly. The jig includes marks that are identifiable by the position tracking system for determining the position.
Additionally, the system includes a static platform surrounding the work tray, with the jig having a frame for affixing the fabric to the platform peripherally with respect to the work tray. The platform and frame may have protruding elements or a rough surface that complement each other.
The work tray has a reflectivity of at least 50% to radiation emitted by a radiation source in the system. It also includes a fluid channel, with a fluid delivery system generating a flow of fluid within the channel.
The system incorporates an imaging system positioned to capture images of the fabric on the work tray. The computerized controller receives image data from the imaging system, processes it to identify patterns on the fabric, and operates the array of nozzles to dispense building material in a configured pattern corresponding to the shape of an object on the fabric at selected locations relative to the identified patterns.
Overall, this patent describes a comprehensive system for three-dimensional printing that includes various components and functionalities to enable precise and efficient printing of objects on fabric.
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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.
