Thomas Alan Kerekes

US Patent:

6357855, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Feb 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/260522

Inventors:

Thomas A. Kerekes - Calabasas CA
Bryan J. L. Bedal - Santa Clarita CA
Joe M. Brown - Valencia CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B41J 2145

US Classification:

347 40, 264113, 264129

Abstract:

This invention relates to the formation of three-dimensional objects on substantially layer-by-layer basis with enhanced resolution. The invention utilizes a unique offset printhead containing groups of jets to selectively deposit a hot-melt material.

US Patent:

6492651, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Feb 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/779355

Inventors:

Thomas A. Kerekes - Calabasas CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

G01N 2186

US Classification:

2505592, 250548, 356 301

Abstract:

A closed loop selective deposition modeling apparatus having a surface scanning system for actively monitoring the surface height of a layer of a three-dimensional object as it is being built by selectively dispensing a build material. The surface scanning system directs a beam of energy on the surface of the object that establishes an illumination zone which emits scattered light, and has a detector which senses the scattered light and produces a response indicative of the surface condition of the object. The response is processed to establish a plurality of height data signals that are further processed to produce feedback data. The feedback data is then utilized to selectively dispense the build material to desired locations on the surface of the object to therein dimensionally normalize the layer of the object being formed.

US Patent:

6508971, Jan 21, 2003

Filed:

Aug 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/924433

Inventors:

Richard N. Leyden - Topanga CA
Jeffrey S. Thayer - Simi Valley CA
Bryan J. L. Bedal - Palmdale CA
Thomas A. Almquist - San Gabriel CA
Charles W. Hull - Santa Clarita CA
Jocelyn M. Earl - Old Headington, GB
Thomas A. Kerekes - Calabasas CA
Dennis R. Smalley - Newhall CA
Christian M. Merot - Saugus CA
Richard P. Fedchenko - Saugus CA
Michael S. Lockard - Grand Junction CO
Thomas H. Pang - Castaic CA
Dinh Ton That - Irvine CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C 3508

US Classification:

264401, 264 401, 264308, 264408, 347 1, 347 20, 347 44, 347 54, 347 85, 347 88, 347 99, 425135, 4251744, 425375, 700119, 700120

Abstract:

A variety of support structures and build styles for use in Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing systems are described wherein particular emphasis is given to Thermal Stereolithography, Fused Deposition Modeling, and Selective Deposition Modeling systems, and wherein a 3D modeling system is presented which uses multijet dispensing and a single material for both object and support formation.

US Patent:

6532394, Mar 11, 2003

Filed:

May 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/305094

Inventors:

Jocelyn M. Earl - Old Headington, GB
Chris R. Manners - Moorpark CA
Thomas A. Kerekes - Calabasas CA
Paul H. Marygold - Monrovia CA
Jeffrey S. Thayer - Montara CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc.

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

700119, 700 98, 700118, 700120, 700182, 700183, 4251744, 425375, 21912162, 2191218, 264308, 264401, 264497, 264406

Abstract:

A method of manipulating data in a method for forming a three-dimensional object layer by layer from an ink jettable, solidifiable material by providing data corresponding to a plurality of polygons defining the outer surfaces of a plurality of three-demiensional objects and providing sets of x, y, and z coordinates corresponding to each layer and identifying x and y coordinates with each z coordinate such that directional values and counter values are determined for each y coordinate in a first set of coordinates generated. A second set of y coordinates are generated according to a formula that permits the determined layers to be processed to form a three-dimensional object.

US Patent:

6660209, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Aug 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/924608

Inventors:

Richard N. Leyden - Topanga CA
Jeffrey S. Thayer - Montara CA
Bryan J. L. Bedal - Palmdale CA
Thomas A. Almquist - San Gabriel CA
Charles W. Hull - Santa Clarita CA
Jocelyn M. Earl - Old Headington, GB
Thomas A. Kerekes - Calabasas CA
Dennis R. Smalley - Newhall CA
Christian M. Merot - Saugus CA
Richard P. Fedchenko - Saugus CA
Michael S. Lockard - Grand Junction CO
Thomas H. Pang - Castaic CA
Dinh Ton That - Irvine CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C 3508

US Classification:

264401, 264 401, 264308, 264408, 347 1, 347 20, 347 44, 347 54, 347 85, 347 88, 347 89, 425135, 4251744, 425375, 700119, 700120

Abstract:

A variety of support structures and build styles for use in Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing systems are described wherein particular emphasis is given to Thermal Stereolithography, Fused Deposition Modeling, and Selective Deposition Modeling systems, and wherein a 3D modeling system is presented which uses multijet dispensing and a single material for both object and support formation.

US Patent:

7077638, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

Nov 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/724370

Inventors:

Richard N. Leyden - Topanga CA, US
Jeffrey S. Thayer - Montara CA, US
Bryan J. L. Bedal - Palmdale CA, US
Thomas A. Almquist - San Gabriel CA, US
Charles W. Hull - Santa Clarita CA, US
Jocelyn M. Earl - Old Headington, GB
Thomas A. Kerekes - Calabasas CA, US
Dennis R. Smalley - Newhall CA, US
Christian M. Merot - Saugus CA, US
Richard P. Fedchenko - Saugus CA, US
Michael S. Lockard - Grand Junction CO, US
Thomas H. Pang - Castaic CA, US
Dinh Ton That - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C 35/08
B29C 41/02

US Classification:

4251744, 425375, 425449

Abstract:

A variety of support structures and build styles for use in Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing systems are described wherein particular emphasis is given to Thermal Stereolithography, Fused Deposition Modeling, and Selective Deposition Modeling systems, and wherein a 3D modeling system is presented which uses multijet dispensing and a single material for both object and support formation.

US Patent:

7339712, Mar 4, 2008

Filed:

Mar 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/087286

Inventors:

Thomas A. Kerekes - Calabasas CA, US
Jouni P. Partanen - Santa Monica CA, US

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Rock Hill SC

International Classification:

G02B 26/08

US Classification:

359201

Abstract:

A laser scanning system in a rapid-protyping system is controlled during vector scanning by providing a commanded-position signal to each of first and second rotary motive devices to rotate respective mirrors of the scanning system, each mirror undergoing acceleration at the beginning of the vector, wherein the commanded-position signals are calculated based on physical mathematical modeling of the acceleration of the mirrors taking into account effects of inertia of the scanning system, and wherein actual positions of the mirrors are measured with fast-response devices and digital feedback control of the mirror positions is employed at a periodic rate sufficiently small to maintain a following error of the laser spot less than about 200 μs at all times. A laser power control method employs a fast-response power meter for measuring laser power.

US Patent:

8048359, Nov 1, 2011

Filed:

Oct 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/254579

Inventors:

Hongqing V. Wang - Ft. Mill SC, US
Charles W. Hull - Santa Clarita CA, US
Thomas Alan Kerekes - Calabasas CA, US

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Rock Hill SC

International Classification:

B29C 35/04

US Classification:

264401, 264308, 4251744

Abstract:

There is provided methods and apparatus for compensation of intensity profiles of imagers used in three-dimensional modelers. The intensity profile of the actinic radiation projected from the imager is determined by a variety of techniques, including but not limited to manually operated sensors, exposed and scanned actinic radiation-sensitive paper, and intensity profilers. Once the intensity profile of the imager is determined, each layer of the solidifiable liquid material is cured by projecting a plurality of patterns (as opposed to a single pattern) defining the two-dimensional cross-section of the part being cured. The patterns vary in duration, number, and/or shape to correlate to the intensity profile so that a single layer of selectively cured solidifiable liquid material is cured with a substantially equivalent (or otherwise controlled) amount of actinic radiation per unit of surface area to provide generally controlled and consistent part quality.