| PROTO LABS, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20110060439 | Automated Quoting Of CNC Machined Custom Molds And/Or Custom Parts - A customer sends a CAD file for the part to be manufactured to the system. The system assesses the CAD file to determine various pieces of manufacturing information. One or more acceptability criteria are applied to the part, such as whether the part can be machined in two opposing orientations in a 3 axis CNC machine. If not, the system sends a file to the customer graphically indicating which portions of the part need modification to be manufacturable. The system provides the customer with a quotation form, that allows the customer to select several parameters, such as number of cavities or parts per workpiece block, surface finish and material, which are independent of the shape of the part. The quotation module then provides the customer with the cost to manufacture the mold or a number of parts, which may include both molded parts and total profiled machined parts. Budget-driven quotation is possible, wherein proposed modifications in the molding process are controlled by the budget of the customer. Interactivity is also achieved, with the customer being able to modify the quotation interactively by modifying one or more of the initially selected parameters, including selecting a different budgeted amount. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110054655 | Computer Assisted Determination Of Tapped Threads From CAD File - A computer program, system and method receives a customer's CAD file of a custom part to be formed. Depending upon customer responses to several basic queries, the CAD file is analyzed to identify acceptable holes for tapping. For each identified hole, an appropriate and available thread size is automatically selected, even if the cylindrical recess differs in size from the characteristic size of the threaded hole. The customer is then automatically advised 10 of the results of the tapping analysis, preferably as part of a quotation for part manufacture that identifies the number of threaded holes in the part and preferably identifies the changes to the tapped holes and the specific thread form being quoted for the hole. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20090302496 | CNC Instructions For Solidification Fixturing Of Parts - A customer transmits their 3D CAD file for a part to be total profile machined. Computer analysis of the transmitted CAD file produces CNC machining instructions, which are transmitted back to an address defined by the customer. The customer can then use the transmitted CNC machining instructions to total profile machine their own part using their own CNC mill at the location where the part is likely needed. The transmitted instructions include not only the tool paths for CNC machining of the total profile of the part, but also for additional features formed into the encircling portion of a material block from which the part is to be total profile machined. For instance, the CNC machining instructions transmitted back to the customer can define a registration recess and/or channels or undercuts for fluid support material on an A-side of a material block. After the A-side of the block is machined, the customer adds and solidifies fluid support material into the machined recess. The CNC mill is then used to machine a support surface into a portion of the solidified support material surface. A registration fixture is applied into contact with the support surface CNC machining on the B-side of the material block is then performed while the part is supported by the solidified support material, substantially separating the part from the encircling block of material. The support material is then removed, such as by dissolving, freeing the part from the encircling block of material. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090125418 | Automated Quoting Of Molds And Molded Parts - A customer sends a CAD file for the part to be molded to the system. The system assesses the CAD file to determine various pieces of mold manufacturing information. One or more acceptability criteria are applied to the part, such as whether the part can be manufactured in a two-piece, straight-pull mold, and whether the mold can by CNC machined out of aluminum. If not, the system sends a file to the customer graphically indicating which portions of the part need modification to be manufacturable. The system provides the customer with a quotation form, that allows the customer to select several parameters, such as number of cavities, surface finish and material, which are independent of the shape of the part. The quotation module then provides the customer with the cost to manufacture the mold or a number of parts. Budget-driven quotation is possible, wherein proposed modifications in the molding process are controlled by the budget of the customer. Interactivity is also achieved, with the customer being able to modify the quotation interactively by modifying one or more of the initially selected parameters, including selecting a different budgeted amount. | 05-14-2009 |
