IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,390,995
Granted Patent B2
US 12,390,995 · App. 19/022,640 · Granted Aug 19, 2025

Systems and methods for printing components using additive manufacturing

Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara (Birdseye, IN); Scott G. Vaal (Jasper, IN); Nicolas C. Vote (Newburgh, IN)
Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
B29C64/227B29C64/118B29C64/209G05B19/4145B33Y10/00B33Y30/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,390,995
App. No.
19/022,640
Granted
Aug 19, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of forming a part using additive manufacturing may include receiving, at a computer numeric controlled (CNC) machine, a computer aided design (CAD) model of the part. The method may further include dividing the CAD model into plurality of sections. The method may further include slicing each of the plurality of sections into a plurality of layers. Each section may include a distinct set of print parameters. The method may further include depositing a flowable material onto a worktable according the set of print parameters for each section of the plurality of sections to manufacture the part.

Claims (42)

1. A system for forming a part using additive manufacturing, the system comprising:

an extruder;

an applicator assembly including a nozzle connected downstream of the extruder;

a plurality of servomotors for positioning the applicator assembly; and

a controller configured to:

via a user interface, prompt a user to input a first set of print parameters for a first print section;

via the user interface, prompt the user to input a second set of print parameters for a second print section, wherein the first set of print parameters include priming attributes associated with a first extruder parameter, wherein the first set of print parameters includes a first toolpath parameter, wherein the first toolpath parameter is one of an open toolpath parameter, a closed toolpath parameter, and a seam avoidance offset parameter, wherein the second set of print parameters includes at least one parameter that is different from the first set of print parameters;

receive the first and second sets of print parameters;

control the servomotors while the applicator assembly deposits material via the nozzle during a first additive manufacturing process based on the first set of print parameters to form the first print section; and

control the servomotors while the applicator assembly deposits material via the nozzle during a second additive manufacturing process based on the second set of print parameters to form the second print section, such that such the first print section and the second print section are joined together to manufacture the part.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first set of print parameters includes the first extruder parameter, wherein the second set of print parameters includes a second extruder parameter that is different from the first extruder parameter.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first extruder parameter is a speed of an extruder screw.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first extruder parameter is a speed of an extruder screw during priming.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first extruder parameter determines whether priming is performed with the extruder.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first extruder parameter is a selection of a period of time during which priming is performed.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first set of print parameters includes a first toolpath parameter, wherein the second set of print parameters includes a second toolpath parameter that is different from the first extruder parameter.

8. A system for forming a part using additive manufacturing, the system comprising:

an extruder;

an applicator assembly;

controller configured to:

via a user interface, prompt a user to input a first set of print parameters for a first print section; and

via the user interface, prompt the user to input a second set of print parameters, wherein the first set of print parameters include priming attributes associated with a first extruder parameter, wherein the first set of print parameters includes a first toolpath parameter, wherein the first toolpath parameter is one of an open toolpath parameter, a closed toolpath parameter, and a seam avoidance offset parameter, wherein the second set of print parameters includes at least one parameter that is different from the first set of print parameters;

receive, from the user interface, the first and second sent of print parameters;

control the applicator assembly to deposit material via the extruder based on the first set of print parameters to form the first print section; and

control the application assembly to deposit material via the extruder based on the second set of print parameters to form the second print section, such the first print section and the second print section are joined together to manufacture the part.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the first set of print parameters includes a first toolpath parameter, wherein the second set of print parameters includes a second toolpath parameter that is different from the first toolpath parameter.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the first set of print parameters includes a seam offset parameter.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the first set of print parameters includes a first geometry parameter, wherein the second set of print parameters includes a second geometry parameter that is different from the first geometry parameter.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the first set of print parameters includes the first extruder parameter, wherein the second set of print parameters includes a second extruder parameter that is different from the first extruder parameter.

13. A method for forming a part using additive manufacturing, the method comprising:

receiving, from a user via a graphical interface of an additive manufacturing device, a first set of print parameters for forming a first print section, wherein the first set of print parameters include priming attributes associated with a first extruder parameter, wherein the first set of print parameters includes a first toolpath parameter, wherein the first toolpath parameter is one of an open toolpath parameter, a closed toolpath parameter, and a seam avoidance offset parameter;

receiving, from the user via the graphical interface of the additive manufacturing device, a second set of print parameters for forming a second print section, wherein the second set of print parameters includes at least one parameter that is different from the first set of print parameters;

transmitting, from the graphical interface to a controller, the first and second sets of print parameters;

controlling, with the controller, an applicator assembly to deposit material via an extruder based on the first set of print parameters to form the first print section;

controlling, with the controller, the applicator assembly to deposit material via the extruder based on the second set of print parameters to form the second print section; and

joining the first print second and the second print section together to form the part.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first set of print parameters includes a first boundary parameter, wherein the second set of print parameters includes a second boundary parameter that is different from the first boundary parameter.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising prompting, with the graphical interface, the user to input the first set of print parameters for forming the first print section.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first set of print parameters includes a seam offset parameter.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first set of print parameters includes a first geometry parameter, wherein the second set of print parameters includes a second geometry parameter that is different from the first geometry parameter.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first set of print parameters includes the first extruder parameter, wherein the second set of print parameters includes a second extruder parameter that is different from the first extruder parameter.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first set of print parameters includes a first toolpath parameter, wherein the second set of print parameters includes a second toolpath parameter that is different from the first toolpath parameter.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2025
From: SUSNJARA, KENNETH J.; VAAL, SCOTT G.; VOTE, NICOLAS C.
To: THERMWOOD CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 070181/0067 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 18897887 · Sep 26, 2024
Continuation 18352882 · Jul 14, 2023
Continuation 17645549 · Dec 22, 2021
Continuation 17225769 · Apr 8, 2021
Continuation 16856457 · Apr 23, 2020
Continuation 16186053 · Nov 9, 2018
Related Publication 20250153432A1 · May 15, 2025
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