公开(公告)号：US20160332255A1

公开(公告)日：2016-11-17

申请号：US15218778

申请日：2016-07-25

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： James C. Culp

IPC: B23K26/06 ,  B23K26/064 ,  B23K26/38 ,  B23K26/08 ,  B23K26/142

CPC classification number: B23K26/0626 ,  B23K26/064 ,  B23K26/08 ,  B23K26/083 ,  B23K26/0853 ,  B23K26/0861 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B23K26/38

Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.

公开(公告)号：US20230219260A1

公开(公告)日：2023-07-13

申请号：US18180373

申请日：2023-03-08

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Yevgeniy Sirovskiy ,  James C. Culp

IPC: B29B13/02 ,  B29C51/42

CPC classification number: B29B13/023 ,  B29C51/422 ,  B29B2013/027

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing thermoformed objects are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes controlling a material transport system to move a material to a first location proximate to one or more heat sources. The method can include controlling the one or more heat sources to heat a first region of the material to a first temperature and heat a second region of the material to a second temperature. The method can also include controlling the material transport system to move the material to a second location proximate to an object forming element, and controlling the object forming element to form a dental appliance from the material.

公开(公告)号：US10773337B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-15

申请号：US16512289

申请日：2019-07-15

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： James C. Culp

IPC: B23K26/06 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B23K26/08 ,  A61C13/00 ,  B23K26/38 ,  B23K26/064 ,  A61C7/08

Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.

公开(公告)号：US20150314520A1

公开(公告)日：2015-11-05

申请号：US14796824

申请日：2015-07-10

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Yevgeniy Sirovskiy ,  James C. Culp

IPC: B29C51/42

CPC classification number: B29B13/023 ,  B29B2013/027 ,  B29C51/422

Abstract: A method and system for thermal forming an object. A mold is provided, a shape of which corresponds to a desired shape of the object. A material is inserted into a heating area, and the material is heated using a plurality of independently controllable heat sources that heat different areas of the material. The heated material is then disposed over or into at least a portion of the mold so as to deform the material. The deformed material may then be trimmed so as to form the object.

Abstract translation: 一种用于热成型物体的方法和系统。 提供了一种模具，其形状对应于物体的期望形状。 将材料插入加热区域中，并且使用加热材料的不同区域的多个可独立控制的热源来加热材料。 然后将加热的材料设置在模具的至少一部分上方或其中，以使材料变形。 然后可以修整变形的材料以形成物体。

公开(公告)号：US20250100188A1

公开(公告)日：2025-03-27

申请号：US18977593

申请日：2024-12-11

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Yevgeniy Sirovskiy ,  James C. Culp

IPC: B29B13/02 ,  B29C51/42

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance made by a thermal forming process is provided. The thermal forming process can include heating a thermoformable material using a plurality of independently controllable heat sources. The plurality of independently controllable heat sources can produce at least one overlapping heating zone. The thermal forming process can further include monitoring one or more temperatures from a plurality of temperature sensing elements operably coupled to different areas of the thermoformable material. The thermal forming process can further include adjusting power of one or more of the plurality of independently controllable heat sources based on the one or more monitored temperatures such that each of the different areas of the thermoformable material reaches a respective desired temperature. The thermal forming process can further include disposing the heated thermoformable material over at least a portion of a mold to form the orthodontic appliance.

公开(公告)号：US11911929B2

公开(公告)日：2024-02-27

申请号：US18066840

申请日：2022-12-15

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Yevgeniy Sirovskiy ,  James C. Culp

IPC: B29C51/42 ,  B29B13/02

CPC classification number: B29B13/023 ,  B29C51/422 ,  B29B2013/027

Abstract: Systems for thermal forming an object are provided. In some embodiments, a system for thermal forming an object using a mold includes one or more processors, and memory including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform the following operations: receiving a mold identifier identifying the mold; determining mold process information for forming the object based on the mold identifier; inserting a material into a heating area, the material having a geometry selected based on the mold process information; heating the material using one or more independently controllable heat sources; and forming the object by disposing the heated material over or into at least a portion of the mold.

公开(公告)号：US11534861B2

公开(公告)日：2022-12-27

申请号：US16924110

申请日：2020-07-08

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： James C. Culp

IPC: G05B15/02 ,  B23K26/06 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B23K26/08 ,  A61C13/00 ,  B23K26/38 ,  B23K26/064 ,  A61C7/08

Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.

公开(公告)号：US10828719B2

公开(公告)日：2020-11-10

申请号：US16236220

申请日：2018-12-28

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： James C. Culp

IPC: B23K26/06 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B23K26/08 ,  A61C13/00 ,  B23K26/38 ,  B23K26/064 ,  A61C7/08

Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.

公开(公告)号：US20190240771A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-08

申请号：US16236220

申请日：2018-12-28

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： James C. Culp

IPC: B23K26/06 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B23K26/08 ,  B23K26/38 ,  B23K26/064

Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.

公开(公告)号：US20230122748A1

公开(公告)日：2023-04-20

申请号：US18066840

申请日：2022-12-15

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Yevgeniy Sirovskiy ,  James C. Culp

IPC: B29B13/02 ,  B29C51/42

Abstract: Systems for thermal forming an object are provided. In some embodiments, a system for thermal forming an object using a mold includes one or more processors, and memory including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform the following operations: receiving a mold identifier identifying the mold; determining mold process information for forming the object based on the mold identifier; inserting a material into a heating area, the material having a geometry selected based on the mold process information; heating the material using one or more independently controllable heat sources; and forming the object by disposing the heated material over or into at least a portion of the mold.