IP Library Granted Patent US 12,321,152
Granted Patent B2
US 12,321,152 · App. 17/967,850 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Enclosure with selective wavelength transmissivity for computer numerically controlled fabrication

Inventors: Daniel Shapiro (Mercer Island, WA); Mark Gosselin (Seattle, WA); Douglas Webster (Mill Creek, WA)
Assignee: Glowforge Inc.
G05B19/4155G05B2219/33099
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,321,152
App. No.
17/967,850
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computer numerically controlled machine may include a source configured to deliver an electromagnetic energy to at least one location within an interior space of the computer-numerically-controlled machine. The electromagnetic energy may have a first range of wavelengths from a visible spectrum. An enclosure defining at least a portion of the interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine may include a transparent portion configured to filter the first range of wavelengths associated with the electromagnetic energy. Moreover, the transparent portion may reflect and/or transmit at least a second range of wavelengths from the visible spectrum not associated with the electromagnetic energy such that the transparent portion of the enclosure exhibits a first color corresponding to the second range of wavelengths.

Claims (38)

1. A computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine comprising:

a source configured to emit electromagnetic energy within an interior space of the CNC machine;

an enclosure defining at least a portion of the interior space, the enclosure at least partially formed from an optically transmissive material, wherein the optically transmissive material is configured such that electromagnetic energy striking the optically transmissive material is propagated, within the optically transmissive material, to a location on the optically transmissive material;

a sensor coupled to the optically transmissive material at the location;

at least one processor;

a non-transitory computer-readable medium; and

program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to:

detect, via the sensor, electromagnetic energy that exceeds at least one of a threshold duration or threshold power level; and

based on detecting the electromagnetic energy, reduce a power level of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the source.

2. The CNC machine of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure at least partially formed from an optically transmissive material comprises a light guide plate.

3. The CNC machine of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a photodiode.

4. The CNC machine of claim 1 , wherein the optically transmissive material is configured such that electromagnetic energy striking the optically transmissive material is propagated, within the optically transmissive material, to at least two locations on the optically transmissive material, and wherein the CNC machine comprises a respective sensor coupled to the optically transmissive material at each of the at least two locations.

5. The CNC machine of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to detect, via the sensor, electromagnetic energy comprise program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to detect, via the sensor, a wavelength of light associated with the electromagnetic energy emitted by the source.

6. The CNC machine of claim 1 , further comprising program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to:

encode a pulse wave modulated signature in the electromagnetic energy emitted by the source; and

wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to detect, via the sensor, electromagnetic energy comprise program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to detect, via the sensor, the pulse wave modulated signature.

7. The CNC machine of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to detect, via the sensor, electromagnetic energy that exceeds at least one of a threshold duration or threshold power level comprise program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to detect, via the sensor, continuous electromagnetic energy that exceeds a threshold power level for greater than a threshold sustained duration.

8. The CNC machine of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to detect, via the sensor, electromagnetic energy that exceeds at least one of a threshold duration or threshold power level comprise program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to detect, via the sensor, instantaneous electromagnetic energy that exceeds a maximum allowable threshold power level.

9. The CNC machine of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to reduce the power level of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the source comprise program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the CNC machine is configured to terminate emission of electromagnetic energy by the source.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium is provisioned with program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a CNC machine comprising a source configured to emit electromagnetic energy to:

detect, via a sensor of the CNC machine, electromagnetic energy that exceeds at least one of a threshold duration or threshold power level, wherein the sensor is coupled at a location to an optically transmissive material that at least partially forms an enclosure of the CNC machine, the enclosure defining at least a portion of an interior space of the CNC machine, and wherein the optically transmissive material is configured such that electromagnetic energy striking the optically transmissive material is propagated, within the optically transmissive material, to the location; and

based on detecting the electromagnetic energy, reduce a power level of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the source.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the optically transmissive material is configured such that electromagnetic energy striking the optically transmissive material is propagated, within the optically transmissive material, to at least two locations on the optically transmissive material, and wherein the CNC machine comprises a respective sensor coupled to the optically transmissive material at each of the at least two locations.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the CNC machine to detect, via the sensor, electromagnetic energy comprise program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the CNC machine to detect, via the sensor, a wavelength of light associated with the electromagnetic energy emitted by the source.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium is also provisioned with program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the CNC machine to:

encode a pulse wave modulated signature in the electromagnetic energy emitted by the source; and

wherein the program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the CNC machine to detect, via the sensor, electromagnetic energy comprise program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the CNC machine to detect, via the sensor, the pulse wave modulated signature.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the CNC machine to detect, via the sensor, electromagnetic energy that exceeds at least one of a threshold duration or threshold power level comprise program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the CNC machine to detect, via the sensor, continuous electromagnetic energy emitted by the source that exceeds a threshold power level for greater than a threshold sustained duration.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the CNC machine to detect, via the sensor, electromagnetic energy that exceeds at least one of a threshold duration or threshold power level comprise program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the CNC machine to detect, via the sensor, instantaneous electromagnetic energy emitted by the source that exceeds a maximum allowable threshold power level.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the CNC machine to reduce the power level of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the source comprise program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the CNC machine to terminate emission of electromagnetic energy by the source.

17. A method carried out by a CNC machine comprising a source configured to emit electromagnetic energy, the method comprising:

detecting, via a sensor of the CNC machine, electromagnetic energy that exceeds at least one of a threshold duration or threshold power level, wherein the sensor is coupled at a location to an optically transmissive material that at least partially forms an enclosure of the CNC machine, the enclosure defining at least a portion of an interior space of the CNC machine, and wherein the optically transmissive material is configured such that electromagnetic energy striking the optically transmissive material is propagated, within the optically transmissive material, to the location; and

based on detecting the electromagnetic energy, reducing a power level of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the source.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

encoding a pulse wave modulated signature in the electromagnetic energy emitted by the source; and

wherein detecting, via the sensor, electromagnetic energy emitted by the source comprises detecting, via the sensor, the pulse wave modulated signature.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein detecting, via the sensor, electromagnetic energy that exceeds at least one of a threshold duration or threshold power level comprises detecting, via the sensor, continuous electromagnetic energy emitted by the source that exceeds a threshold power level for greater than a threshold sustained duration.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein causing the CNC machine to reduce the power level of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the source comprises causing the CNC machine to terminate emission of electromagnetic energy by the source.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2026
From: LASER EQUIPMENT COMPANY (ABC), LLC
To: PURPLEVINE IP SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 073471/0934 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2026
From: PURPLEVINE IP SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
To: MAKEBLOCK HONGKONG HOLDING LIMITED
Reel/Frame 073472/0309 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2026
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: LASER EQUIPMENT COMPANY (ABC), LLC
Reel/Frame 073444/0054 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2026
From: GLOWFORGE INC.
To: LASER EQUIPMENT COMPANY (ABC), LLC
Reel/Frame 073369/0828 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2025
From: SHAPIRO, DANIEL; GOSSELIN, MARK; WEBSTER, DOUGLAS
To: GLOWFORGE INC.
Reel/Frame 072391/0535 →
SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 13, 2024
From: GLOWFORGE INC.; GLOWFORGE INTERNATIONAL INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 067385/0141 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2022
From: SHAPIRO, DANIEL; GOSSELIN, MARK; WEBSTER, DOUGLAS
To: GLOWFORGE INC.
Reel/Frame 061989/0915 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63256380 · Oct 15, 2021
Related Publication 20230185279A1 · Jun 15, 2023
References Cited (1)
US 20100213391A1 · Schreiber · 2010 [cited by examiner]