Wayne A Vinson

US Patent:

6602074, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

Aug 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/530236

Inventors:

Byoung I. Suh - Oakbrook IL
Wayne Vinson - Eugene OR

Assignee:

Bisco, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

A61C 500

US Classification:

4332281, 433 29, 433215

Abstract:

A process for preparing dental restorations includes the steps of applying a composite restorative material onto a prepared tooth followed by the application of light to the composite of intensity sufficient to penetrate the composite to initiate polymerization. Light application is then suspended for a period of time sufficient to allow for the relaxation of internal stresses created by the initial polymerization of the composite. Light is subsequently applied to the composite to complete polymerization. A curing light is utilized which includes variably-adjustable, multiple power and timing settings.

US Patent:

60481889, Apr 11, 2000

Filed:

Jun 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/106950

Inventors:

Charles W. Hull - Santa Clarita CA
Stuart T. Spence - So. Pasadena CA
Charles W. Lewis - Van Nuys CA
Wayne S. Vinson - Valencia CA
Raymond S. Freed - Northridge CA
Dennis R. Smalley - Baldwin Park CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C 3508
B29C 4102
B29C 4152

US Classification:

425135

Abstract:

An improved stereolithography system for generating a three-dimensional object by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle bombardment or chemical reaction, information defining the object being structurally specified to reduce curl, stress and distortion in the ultimately formed object, the successive adjacent laminae, representing corresponding successive adjacent cross-sections of the object, being automatically formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three-dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substantially planar surface of the fluid medium during the forming process. A stereolithographic distortion known as curl is defined, and several techniques to eliminate or reduce curl are described, including dashed line, bent line, secondary structure, rivets, and multi-pass techniques. In addition, a quantitative measurement of curl known as the curl factor, and a test part known as a quarter cylinder are described, which together can be used to measure the effectiveness of the above techniques in reducing curl.

US Patent:

56108249, Mar 11, 1997

Filed:

Jan 25, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/009249

Inventors:

Wayne A. Vinson - Valencia CA
Frank F. Little - Lakeview CA
Wolfgang Schwarzinger - Moorpark CA
Mark A. Lewis - Valencia CA
Yehoram Uziel - Northridge CA
Robert T. Pitlak - Westlake Village CA
Stuart T. Spence - South Pasadena CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

36447424

Abstract:

A stereolithography system employing a more powerful laser and faster dynamic mirrors to speed up part building without sacrificing accuracy is described, especially large or complex parts. A controllable shutter is placed in the beam path of the laser to selectably block the passage of the beam and prevent unwanted solidification. A suitable servo controlled feedback loop is provided to accurately position the mirrors at the higher velocity. Also described is a means to reduce data flow by distributing tasks in a multiple processor environment, and to improve user interaction by the use of a spreadsheet model. These also improve the speed of part building, especially for large or complex parts.

US Patent:

52386392, Aug 24, 1993

Filed:

Aug 31, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/939549

Inventors:

Wayne A. Vinson - Valencia CA
Joseph W. Allison - Valencia CA
Paul F. Jacobs - La Crescenta CA
Dennis R. Smalley - Baldwin Park CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C 3508
B29C 4102

US Classification:

264 22

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for eliminating or substantially reducing curling effects in stereolithographically formed objects. Synergistic stimulation is applied to a curable material to form a three dimensional object through the build up of successive layers. Curling between successive layers is eliminated or substantially reduced by curing a balancing layer in relation to a balanced layer such that reverse curl of the balanced layer caused by the balancing layer offsets or negates normal curl of the balanced layer caused by the balancing layer.

US Patent:

56371691, Jun 10, 1997

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/479875

Inventors:

Charles W. Hull - Santa Clarita CA
Paul F. Jacobs - La Crescenta CA
Kris A. Schmidt - Granada Hills CA
Dennis R. Smalley - Baldwin Park CA
Wayne A. Vinson - Valencia CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C 3508
B29C 4102

US Classification:

156155

Abstract:

The instant invention is directed to related methods of producing a three-dimensional object by dispensing sheets of a material, capable of physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation, onto a substantially flat working surface of a previous cross-section. In one preferred embodiment, sheets of a photoresist are employed which change solubility upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation. In other preferred embodiments, non-photoreactive sheets are employed, which ablate upon exposure to infrared radiation.

US Patent:

51827158, Jan 26, 1993

Filed:

Jan 22, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/824819

Inventors:

Thomas J. Vorgitch - Simi Valley CA
Raymond A. Bradford - Los Angeles CA
Grady O. Floyd - Newhall CA
Harry L. Tarnoff - Van Nuys CA
Wayne A. Vinson - Valencia CA
Frank F. Little - Lakeview CA
Richard A. Harlow - Marina Del Rey CA
Wolfgang Schwarzinger - Moorpark CA
Paul H. Marygold - Monrovia CA
Mark A. Lewis - Valencia CA
Yehoram Uziel - Northridge CA
Borzo Modrek - Montebello CA
Robert T. Pitlak - Westlake Village CA
Thomas P. Chen - Saugus CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

G06F 1520

US Classification:

36447424

Abstract:

A stereolithography system employing a more powerful laser and faster dynamic mirrors to speed up part building without sacrificing accuracy is described, especially large or complex parts. A controllable shutter is placed in the beam path of the laser to selectably block the passage of the beam and prevent unwanted solidification. A suitable servo controlled feedback loop is provided to accurately position the mirrors at the higher velocity. Also described is a means to reduce data flow by distributing tasks in a multiple processor environment, and to improve user interaction by the use of a spreadsheet model. These also improve the speed of part building, especially for large or complex parts.

US Patent:

51045923, Apr 14, 1992

Filed:

Apr 17, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/339246

Inventors:

Charles W. Hull - Santa Clarita CA
Stuart T. Spence - So. Pasadena CA
Charles W. Lewis - Van Nuys CA
Wayne A. Vinson - Valencia CA
Raymond S. Freed - Northridge CA
Dennis R. Smalley - Baldwin Park CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C 3508
B29C 4102

US Classification:

264 22

Abstract:

An improved sterolithography system for generating a three-dimensional object from object defining information, the information defining the object being structurally specified to reduce curl, stress and distortion in the ultimately formed object is described. A stereolithographic distortion known as curl is reduced by the system, and several techniques to eliminate or reduce curl are utilized by the system, including dashed line, bent line, secondary structure, rivets, and multi-pass techniques.

US Patent:

51925591, Mar 9, 1993

Filed:

Dec 3, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/803681

Inventors:

Charles W. Hull - Santa Clarita CA
Paul F. Jacobs - La Crescenta CA
Kris A. Schmidt - Granada Hills CA
Dennis R. Smalley - Baldwin Park CA
Wayne A. Vinson - Valencia CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Santa Clarita CA

International Classification:

B29C 3508
B29C 4102

US Classification:

425 89

Abstract:

Systems for and methods of generating three-dimensional objects from a medium capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation, whereby sheets of medium corresponding to cross-sectional layers of the three-dimensional object are dispensed from a source, the dispensed sheets then being selectively exposed to synergistic stimulation thereby forming a layer of the three-dimensional object, the areas not exposed to synergistic stimulation being removed, and whereby successive sheets corresponding to successive cross-sectional layers are dispensed and selectively exposed to synergistic stimulation and integrated together with preceding layers to provide substantially a layer by layer buildup of the three-dimensional object, thereby forming the three-dimensional object.