Analysis of 3D printing technology patents

Transcription

1 IHS Electronics & Media Report Intellectual Property Analysis of 3D printing technology patents October 2013 ihs.com Steve Park, Senior Analyst, + 82 (0) , Steve.Park@ihs.com IPDB-S1-O

2 Contents. I Analysis overview 4 1. Analysis background 5 2. Research results and analysis methodology 6 3. Use of patent information 8. II Technology overview 9 1. Major 3D printing technologies Technology development trends - Stratasys Technology development trends - 3D Systems 12. III Key patent analysis - Stratasys Patent application trends - Stratasys US-issued patents - Stratasys US-published patents - Stratasys US design patents - Stratasys Method of selection and analysis of key patents Technology advancement trends - Stratasys Key patent abstract - Stratasys 34. IV Key patent analysis 3D Systems Patent application trends - 3D Systems US-issued patents - 3D Systems US-published patents - 3D Systems US design patents - 3D Systems Method of selection and analysis of key patents Key patent abstract - 3D Systems 104. V Key patent analysis on SLS technology SLS technology overview Key patents on SLS Analysis of key patent embodiments on SLS 173. VI Conclusion Patent competitiveness by major company Patent dispute cases on 3D printers Conclusion/Implications 184 2

3 I. Analysis overview 3D Printing Technology ihs.com

4 1. Analysis background Recently the 3D printing technology is emerging. The Economist magazine introduced 3D printing in 2012 as one of the technologies that can bring the third industrial revolution, and the World Economic Forum chose it as one of ten promising technologies in US President Barack Obama has mentioned 3D printing during a national speech as a technology that has a potential to change the manufacturing methods of products. The 3D printing technology is a way to make products by piling up materials. Just like a usual printer sprays ink on a paper to print out a photograph or a document, a 3D printer laminates materials by printing one layer after another, through constantly restructuring a digitalized 3D product design into a 2D cross section. The 3D printing technology has merits in that it costs less even when printing only one product and can make a product into any shape whatsoever. It is expected to lead the industrial innovation by changing technological paradigms in various areas, including manufacturing, medicine, and IT sectors. Already 3D printers are used partially in industry circles in the process of manufacturing. With the recent introduction of cheap personal 3D printers, the technology becomes known to the general public. Meanwhile, the upcoming expiry of some patents of leading companies, including Stratasys and 3D Systems, is drumming up strong interest in those patents. The patent on fused deposition modeling (FDM) is one of them, and another key technology patent is known to be going to expire soon. Though the history of 3D printing is quite long, the 3D printing market is still in its early stage. So the 3D printing technology is expected to face numerous technological and social challenges before bringing about a consumer s revolution. Therefore, IHS examines the innovation process of 3D printing technology through research and analysis of patents owned by leading 3D printing technology companies. This report focuses on the US patents and design patents owned by Stratasys and 3D Systems, while providing an in-depth analysis of key patents on the selective laser sintering (SLS) technology that has been in the spotlight. This report will help examine the 3D printing technology development trends and key patented technologies of leading companies. 4

5 2. Research results and analysis methodology This report is on the 3D printing technology of Stratasys and 3D Systems that are leading the technology and covers patents published and issued in the United States until 15 August Specifically, a total of 451 patents related to 3D printing are extracted, including 150 patents of Stratasys and 285 patents of 3D Systems, as well as 16 patents on the selective laser sintering (SLS) technology which are drawing attention as their patents are expiring in the near future. (In general, US patents are used as an indicator to assess the technological prowess of companies.) On the 451 related patents, their application trends are analyzed by company and year. An in-depth analysis are provided on key patents selected, which include 40 key patents and 13 design patents of Stratasys and 66 key patents and nine design patents of 3D Systems, as well as 16 patents related to the SLS technology. Patent research results Assignee Issued patents Published patents Total Design patents Stratasys D Systems SLS Technology Source: IHS 5

6 This key patent analysis, as shown in the below table, comprises of patent research, analyses of patent application trends, key patents of major companies and key patents on the SLS technology, and conclusion. Patent analysis methodology 1 Patent research scope Research period: Until 15 August 2013 Countries: US (published/issued patents) Subject companies: Stratasys, 3D Systems Research scope: Name, abstract, claims Patent search DB: Focust, Wips, USPTO 2 Analysis of patent application trend Patent research and noise removal Extraction of related patents and analysis of patent application trends (Stratasys, 3D Systems) 3 Analysis of key patents of major companies Key patents (Stratasys, 3D Systems) Analysis of technology development trends Analysis of key patent abstracts 4 Key patent analysis on SLS technology Selection of SLS-related patents In-depth analysis of key patents on SLS 5 Conclusion Patent competitiveness by major company Patent dispute cases on 3D printing Conclusion/Implications Source: IHS 6

7 3. Use of patent information Patent information use Patent information is disclosed to the public 18 months after the patent s application date. When well used, the information is expected to provide trends of related technologies and prior arts; to inspire new ideas; and to prevent patent disputes by identifying third parties claim. Thus newly published patents should be monitored closely, particularly on the claim registration; while disputable patents should be thoroughly analyzed to see if there is a cause of nullity (for example, publicly known technology) and to design a counterstrategy to avoid the disputes. Scope Use Benefit Legal Information Patent Information Infringement Detection Prior Art Search R&D Trend Analysis Determination of R&D Direction Avoidance of Overlapping Investment Speed-up of R&D Acquisition of Valid Patent Technological Information Company Information Prevention of R&D Repetition Commercialization Review, etc. Invalidation of Competitor s Rights Level-up of Engineer, etc. Key Patent Check R&D(Patent) Activities Source: IHS Feasibility R&D Commercialization - Prior Art Search - Analysis (Patent Mapping) - Patent Application Plan - Patent Application (Acquiring) - Project Patent Strategy - Continuing Search (New Patent) - Patent P ortfolio ( Competitiveness) - Patent Strategy for Business - Patent Issue Analysis 7

8 II. Technology overview 3D Printing Technology ihs.com

9 III. Key patent analysis - Stratasys 3D Printing Technology ihs.com

10 Number of application 1. Patent application trends Stratasys Stratasys has applied for patents related to the 3D printing technology since 1989, with an increasing number of patents applied since For reference, given the patent system under which a patent gets published one and a half years after its application date, the number of patents applied seems to have decreased since 2012 because those patents have yet to be published. US patent application trends of Stratasys 25 Invalid Period ~ Year of application All Patents Granted Patents Design Patents Source: IHS 10

11 2. US-issued patents Stratasys Stratasys patents issued in the United States are as follows (99 patents). Patents of Stratasys issued in the United States No. Patent No. Title Application No. (Date) Forward Citation Backward Citation Family Patent 1 Apparatus and method for creating three-dimensional objects Modeling apparatus for three-dimensional objects Method for optimizing the motion of a multi-axis robot

12 3. US-published patents Stratasys Stratasys patents published in the United States are as follows (38 patents). Patents of Stratasys published in the United States No. Publication No. Title 1 Method for building three-dimensional objects containing metal parts Application No. (Date) Legal Status Abandoned - Failure to Respond to an Office Action 2 Surface-treatment method for rapid-manufactured three-dimensional objects Non Final Action Mailed 3 Method of building three-dimensional object with modified ABS materials Abandoned - Failure to Respond to an Office Action

13 4. US design patents Stratasys US design patents of Stratasys are as follows (13 patents). Design patents of Stratasys in the United States No. Patent No. Title Application No. (Date) Forward Citation Backward Citation Family Patent 1 Three-dimensional modeling substrate Filament spool container Filament spool Source: IHS 13

14 5. Method of selection and analysis of key patents Of the 99 US-issued patents of Stratasys, 40 patents with a high number of forward citation are selected for an in-depth analysis. The detailed analysis method on the key patents is as follows. The main contents of the key patent analysis include technology advancement trends by year, an analysis of patent abstracts, and citation analysis. Method of selection and analysis of key patents Stratasys 150 patents applied in the US Key patent selection: 40 patents with 99 issued patents a high number of forward citation Key patent analysis: Technology advancement trends, patent abstract, citation analysis Source: IHS 14

15 6. Technology advancement trends - Stratasys Technology advancement trends of key patents Stratasys ( ) US (filed : 1989.).. 5 US (filed : 1992.). 5 US (filed : 1993.).. 5 US (filed : 1994.). 5 US (filed : 1995.) Apparatus and method for.. Modeling apparatus for.. Methodforoptimizing. Process of support remova.... controlledformethod Molding the patterns of 3D object designed with CAD and CAM following the XYZ axes US (filed : 1995.).. apparatusandmethod Source: IHS 15

16 7. Key patent abstract - Stratasys Key patent abstract (No. 1) Patent No. (Date) Title Abstract Rep. claim Family Country Application No. (Date) Apparatus and method for creating three-dimensional objects Apparatus incorporating a movable dispensing head provided with a supply of material which solidifies at a predetermined temperature, and a base member, which are moved relative to each other along "X," "Y," and "Z" axes in a predetermined pattern to create three-dimensional objects by building up material discharged from the dispensing head onto the base member at a controlled rate. The apparatus is preferably computer driven in a process utilizing computer aided design (CAD) and computer-aided (CAM) software to generate drive signals for controlled movement of the dispensing head and base member as material is being dispensed.. 1. Apparatus for making three-dimensional physical objects of a predetermined shape by sequentially depositing multiple layers of solidifying material on a base member in a desired pattern, comprising: a movable head having flow-passage means therein connected to a dispensing outlet at one end thereof, said outlet comprising a tip with a discharge orifice of predetermined size therein; a supply of material which solidifies at a predetermined temperature, and means for introducing said material in a fluid state into said flow-passage means; a base member disposed in close, working proximity to said dispensing outlet of said dispensing head; and mechanical means for moving said dispensing head and said base member relative to each other in three dimensions along "X," "Y," and "Z" axes in a rectangular coordinate system in a predetermined sequence and pattern and for displacing said dispensing head a predetermined incremental distance relative to the base member and thence relative to each successive layer deposited prior to the commencement of the formation of each successive layer to form multiple layers of said material of predetermined thickness which build up on each other sequentially as they solidify after discharge from said orifice; and means for metering the discharge of said material in a fluid stream from said discharge orifice at a predetermined rate onto said base member to form a three-dimensional object as said dispensing head and base member are moved relative to each other. US, JP, EP, DE, AT, CA Source: IHS 16

17 IV. Key patent analysis 3D Systems 3D Printing Technology ihs.com

18 Number of application 1. Patent application trends 3D Systems 3D Systems had applied for patents related to the 3D printing technology since 1988, with especially active patent application in 1995 and Though the company has not applied for many patents since the mid-2000s, it seems to have strengthened its patent portfolios by acquiring other 3D printer companies, including Z Corporation. US patent application trends of 3D Systems 40 Invalid Period Year of application All Patents Granted Patents Design Patents Source: IHS 18

19 2. US-issued patents 3D Systems US-issued patents of 3D Systems (236 patents) #1 3D Systems - Issued patents 1 15 No. Patent No. Title Application No. (Date) Forward Citation Backward Citation Family Patent 1 Methods and apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by stereolithography Methods and apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by stereolithography Methods and apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by stereolithography

20 3. US-published patents 3D Systems US-published patents of 3D systems (40 patents) #1 3D Systems - Published patents 1 15 No. Publication No. Title 1 Scanning techniques in selective deposition modeling 2 Thermoplastic polymer filled pastes 3 Binder removal in selective laser sintering 4 Application No. (Date) Legal Status Expressly Abandoned -- During Examination Abandoned -- Failure to Respond to an Office Action Expressly Abandoned -- During Examination

21 4. US design patents 3D Systems US design patents of 3D Systems are as follows (9 patents). 3D Systems design patents No.1 9 No. Patent No. Title Application No. (Date) Forward Citation Backward Citation Family Patent 1 Rapid prototype machine Container for material loading Rapid prototype machine Source: IHS 21

22 5. Method of selection and analysis of key patents Of 236 patents of 3D Systems issued in the United States, 66 key patents with a high number of forward citation are selected for an in-depth analysis. The detailed analysis method on the key patents is as follows. The main contents of the key patent analysis are composed of an analysis of patent abstracts and citation review. Selection and analysis method of key patents of 3D Systems 285 patents applied in the US 236 issued patents Key patent selection: 66 patents with a high number of forward citation Key patent analysis: Patent abstract, citation analysis Source: IHS 22

23 6. Key patent abstract 3D systems Key patent abstract (No. 1) Patent No. (Date) Title Abstract Application No. (Date) Methods and apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by stereolithography An improved stereolithography system for generating a three-dimensional object by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle bombardment or chemical reaction, information defining the object being specially tailored to provide built-in supports for the object, reduce curl and distortion, and increase resolution, strength, accuracy, speed and economy of reproduction, the successive adjacent laminae, representing corresponding successive adjacent cross-sections of the object, being automatically formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three-dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substantially planar surface of the fluid medium during the forming process. Rep. claim Family Country 1. An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation comprising: means for forming a three-dimensional object, having an object surface spaced from a surface of a platform by a spacing, upon exposure of said medium to said synergistic stimulation, wherein the platform surface is perforated with at least one hole having a diameter; and means for forming a removable support in said spacing out of a material, said support in cross-sectional width being thin, and extending in height at least between said platform and object surfaces, and also extending a distance approximately greater than said diameter along said platform surface. KR, US, JP, EP, WO, DE, AT, HK, CA, SG, AU, IL Source: IHS 23

24 V. Key patent analysis on SLS technology 3D Printing Technology ihs.com

25 2. Key patents on SLS Key patents on SLS are as follows (16 patents). Key patents on SLS No. Patent No. Title Application No. (Date) Assignee Forward Citation 1 Method and apparatus for producing parts by selective sintering 2 Method and apparatus for producing parts by selective sintering 3 Multiple material systems for selective beam sintering Board of Regents, The University of Texas System Board of Regents, The University of Texas System Board of Regents, The University of Texas System Source: IHS 25

26 VI. Conclusion 3D Printing Technology ihs.com

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