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The 3D printing method of stereolithography, today available in off-the-shelf machines, was first patented in 1984, when it was summarily dismissed. Hull’s company, 3D Systems Corporation, released the world’s first stereolithographic apparatus (SLA) machine, the SLA-1, in 1987.
When was 3D printing patented?
We all know that the success story of 3D printing officially began in 1984 when Charles W Hull applied for a patent for stereolithography. In 1989 S Scott Crump of Stratasys invented fused deposition modeling, which fuses material layer by layer until a 3D object is created.
Does the 3D printer have a patent?
For over two decades, 3D printer manufacturer Stratasys has held the patent rights for a relatively simple piece of technology in the 3D printing community. Owing to three relevant pieces of IP, the company has had exclusive rights to use its own heated build chamber design in its FDM 3D printers since June of 2000.
Who patented 3D printer?
Charles Hull is the inventor of stereolithography, the first commercial rapid prototyping technology commonly known as 3D printing. The earliest applications were in research and development labs and tool rooms, but today 3D printing applications are seemingly endless.
Who has the most 3D printing patents?
Manufacturers file the most patents With respect to additive manufacturing, HP filed the most patents in 2020 – 470 to be precise, followed closely by General Electric with 331 patents. Kinpo Electronics and XYZPrinting have filed 273 and 272 patents respectively; interestingly, both companies belong to the same group.
When was 3D invented?
Universal-International released their first 3D feature on May 27, 1953, It Came from Outer Space, with stereophonic sound. Following that was Paramount’s first feature, Sangaree with Fernando Lamas and Arlene Dahl. Columbia released several 3D westerns produced by Sam Katzman and directed by William Castle.
Can you patent a 3D model?
3D objects can be patented. The process to patent a 3D object is identical to the patenting process of any other object or idea. Once the process to submit a patent is started – filling out an application, paying the fee, and waiting for the approval/denial – the product is protected for 20 years.
Are printers patented?
Printing patents were independent of the private copyright system established by the Stationers’ Company, even though most printing patents were granted to members of the Company. The importance of printing privileges decreased over time, but they still existed after the Statute of Anne was enacted.
When did the FDM patent expire?
Patents filed on pre-existing industrial printing processes, especially those filed at the turn of the century, have already expired or are set to expire in the coming years. Take, for example, the case of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). The patent on FDM expired in 2009.
What did Hideo Kodama invent?
Japanese Doctor Hideo Kodama of Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute was among the first to invent a single-beam laser curing approach. He applied for a patent for his rapid prototyping system in Japan, in May 1980.
Who founded 3D Systems?
Co-founded by the inventor of 3D printing, Charles (“Chuck”) Hull, 3D Systems has grown into a global 3D solutions company focused on connecting our customers with the expertise and digital manufacturing workflow required to solve their business, design or engineering problems.
Who invented 3D glasses?
Kenneth J. Dunkley Kenneth J. Dunkley Born December 29, 1939 New York, US Other names Ken Dunkley Known for Inventing and patenting 3-D viewing glasses.
How was the 3D printer originally made?
The earliest record of 3D printing through the additive process was the Japanese inventor Hideo Kodama in 1981. He created a product that used ultraviolet lights to harden polymers and create solid objects. The object is printed layer by layer, rinsed with a solvent, and hardened with an ultraviolet light.
What materials were originally used to make 3D printers?
The earliest printed patented material was a Hot melt type ink for printing patterns using a heated metal alloy. See 1970’s history above. Charles Hull filed the first patent on August 8, 1984, to use a UV-cured acrylic resin using a UV masked light source at UVP Corp to build a simple model.
What does a patent do?
A patent is the granting of a property right by a sovereign authority to an inventor. This grant provides the inventor exclusive rights to the patented process, design, or invention for a designated period in exchange for a comprehensive disclosure of the invention.
Who invented 3D movies NASA?
Meet Valerie Thomas, the NASA scientist who invented 3D movies. Inventor of the illusion transmitter, Thomas is the reason we can use 3D technology today, in addition to several other inventions.
What was the first 3D printed object?
Sorry to ruin the surprise so early on (we were equally as amazed that it wasn’t something more impressive!) but the first ever 3D printed object was in fact an Eye Wash Cup. In March 1983, an American named Chuck Hull invented and patented the first 3D printer and subsequently, created a 3D printed eye washing cup.
When did 3D printing industry began to explode?
The 2000s: 3D Printing Explodes While there were iterative changes and innovations related to 3D printing throughout the early 2000s, 2005 marked the year that 3D printing went on the path to becoming more mainstream. Many of the early patents began to expire, and inventors and entrepreneurs sought to take advantage.
Is it legal to sell 3D prints?
To begin with, it’s totally safe and legal to sell your 3D printed parts on e-commerce websites like eBay, Amazon, and Etsy. People are making a fair living offering their printing capabilities on different platforms.
What intellectual property rights are applicable to 3D printing?
The current IP rights that 3D printing may have an impact on, are copyright, patent and, most importantly, design rights. Under the copyright law, a 3D CAD file (but not a 3D scan from an existing object) can fall under copyright regime, as it covers technical drawings, diagrams and models.
How do you copyright a 3D design?
you must register the work with the Copyright Office. The registration fee is about $30, but you can attached as many works as you like (hundreds in various category on a single DVD for example) to that that registration so take advantage of it.
