Method for building and using three-dimensional objects containing embedded identification-tag inserts

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9566743-B2
Application number	US-201414484982-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 12, 2014
Priority date	Jan 8, 2008
Publication date	Feb 14, 2017
Grant date	Feb 14, 2017

Abstract

A method for building a three-dimensional object containing an identification-tag insert, the method comprising performing a build operation to form layers of the three-dimensional object using a layer-based additive technique, placing the identification-tag insert on at least a portion of the layers during the build operation, and reading information from the identification-tag insert.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for building a three-dimensional object containing an identification-tag insert with an additive manufacturing system in a layer by layer manner, the method comprising:
performing a build operation to form layers of the three-dimensional object using a layer-based additive technique that utilizes build paths;
placing the identification-tag insert on at least a portion of the layers during the build operation, thereby at least partially embedding the identification-tag insert in the three-dimensional object; and
reading information from the identification-tag insert while the identification-tag insert is at least partially embedded within the three-dimensional object.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification-tag insert tag is fully embedded within the three-dimensional object.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification-tag insert comprises a radio-frequency identification tag.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing at least one surface-modifying operation on the three-dimensional object.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one surface-modifying operation is selected from the group consisting of support structure removal, surface smoothing processes, and combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification-tag insert is placed on at least a portion of the layers in a horizontal orientation.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification-tag insert is placed on at least a portion of the layers at an angle from a vertical axis that ranges from zero degrees to 45 degrees.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising writing the information to the identification-tag insert while the identification-tag insert is at least partially embedded within the three-dimensional object.

9. A method for building a three-dimensional object containing an identification-tag insert with an additive manufacturing system in a layer by layer manner, the method comprising:
forming a plurality of layers of the three-dimensional object using a layer-based additive technique with the additive manufacturing system that utilizes tool paths;
placing at least one identification-tag insert at least one of the plurality of formed layers, thereby at least partially embedding the at least one identification-tag insert in the three-dimensional object;
reading information from the at least one identification-tag insert while the at least one identification-tag insert is at least partially embedded within the three-dimensional object; and
performing at least one action on the three-dimensional object based at least in part on the read information wherein the at least one action comprises at least one post-build operation selected from the group consisting of support structure removal, surface smoothing processes, cooling operations, cleaning operations, machining, benching, painting, packaging, and combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one identification-tag insert tag is fully embedded within the three-dimensional object.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one identification-tag insert comprises at least one radio-frequency identification tag.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising generating a data representation of the at least one identification-tag insert in a computer-aided design model of the three-dimensional object.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one identification-tag insert is placed on at least a portion of the layers in a horizontal orientation.

14. A method for building a three-dimensional object containing an identification-tag insert with an additive manufacturing system in a layer by layer manner, the method comprising:
forming a first set of layers of the three-dimensional object using a layer-based additive technique that utilizes tool paths;
placing the identification-tag insert on at least a first portion of the first set of layers;
forming a second set of layers of the three-dimensional object on at least a second portion of the first set of layers and on at least a portion of the identification-tag insert using the layer-based additive technique such that the identification-tag insert is at least partially embedded between the first set of layers and the second set of layers;
reading information from the identification-tag insert after forming the second set of layers; and
performing at least one post-build operation on the three-dimensional object based at least in part on the read information wherein the at least one action comprises at least one post-build operation selected from the group consisting of support structure removal, surface smoothing processes, cooling operations, cleaning operations, machining, benching, painting, packaging, and combinations thereof.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one identification-tag insert tag is fully embedded between the first set of layers and the second set of layers.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one identification-tag insert comprises at least one radio-frequency identification tag.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
receiving a computer-aided design model of the three-dimensional object; and
generating a data representation of the identification-tag insert in the computer-aided design model.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein forming a first set of layers of the three-dimensional object comprises forming an unfilled region having dimensions substantially corresponding to dimensions of the identification-tag insert, and wherein placing the identification-tag insert on at least the first portion of the first set of layers comprises placing the identification-tag insert in the unfilled region.

Assignees

• Stratasys Inc

Inventors

• Kozlak David M
• Chillscyzn Steven A
• Batchelder J Samuel

Classifications

• G06K7/10366

  the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications · CPC title

• B29C64/153

  using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting · CPC title

• B29C64/124

  using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified · CPC title

• B29C70/68

  by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers {, e.g. foam blocks (mould constructions therefor B29C33/12; joining preformed parts by moulding B29C65/70)} · CPC title

• B29C64/118

  using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM] · CPC title