Good morning:
The latest RP Patent Alert Newsletter is now available on our web site. RP
patents were issued at almost double the typical rate during the last quarter
through 10/31/00. Here are a few highlights of the 44 patents issued:
* RP materials are developing at an extremely fast pace. Photopolymers are
receiving the most attention with several new materials disclosed having
improved flexibility, precision and temperature performance. Other
photopolymers to make ceramic, metal, liquid crystal and color parts are also
revealed, as well as improvements in process chemistry.
* The first X-rated rapid prototyping patent has issued. For those that
believe customized toys represent a big advance, well...that's child's play.
Is it possible to take this whole customization thing too far? Judge for
yourself.
* Improvements in materials to make fully-dense plastic selective laser
sintering parts are disclosed, and several patents have issued that describe
the materials used in multi-jet modeling technology from 3D Systems.
* Numerous improvements in RP applications are described such as investment
casting, the production of structural plastic parts, and an inexpensive
method to simulate flow in an injection mold by using the STL format as a
basis for analysis.
* Improvements in RP processes have been rife, including several patents for
closed loop control of the stereolithographic process, annealing of multi-jet
modeling parts, and color fused deposition modeling. In addition, methods
for combining the re-coating and exposure processes in stereolithography and
a method that could speed up the FDM process have been disclosed.
* Significant patents have issued in the medical area including means for
generating vascularized tissue using SFF techniques. This is one of the
important problems facing tissue engineering of complex organs. An
interesting method of low-cost laminated object manufacture of biological
structures is described that gets around edge damage that might be caused by
a blade or a laser in generating layers. Details of Zeneca's (now Avecia
Specialty) Stereocol color photopolymer are disclosed.
There were numerous additional developments direct manufacture, ceramic and
metal tooling, etc. You will find many thought provoking inventions in this
group. If you're involved with the development of RP technology in industry
or academia, you should find this an easy and fun way to keep up to date.
If you're under the impression it would be effortless to get this information
any other way - try it! There were more than 40,000 US patents issued during
the quarter. Please let us know if we missed anything!
>From our home page,
<A HREF="http://home.att.net/~castleisland/">Worldwide Guide to Rapid
Prototyping Resources</A>
[ if that's not visible as a link: http://home.att.net/~castleisland/ ]
click the PATENTS button or use the direct link on that page.
Ed Grenda
Castle Island Co.
19 Pondview Road
Arlington, MA 02474 USA
781-646-6280 (voice or fax)
EdGrenda@aol.com (email)
http://home.att.net/~castleisland/
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