Back to results
US 7,611,058 B2Granted
Identification of units in customized production
AssigneeAlign Technology, Inc.
InventorsJames C. Culp, Kwan Ho, Shiva Prasad Sambu, Srinivas Kaza, Craig E. Farren, Samuel J. Kass, Sergey Nikolsky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Mass-customized parts are identified by encoding part identification information into a multi-dimensional bar code, wherein mass-customization machinery, such as stereolithography apparatus, is used to make the parts with the multi-dimensional bar code embedded therein.
Claims33
An identification system, comprising:
- means for encoding a part identification into a multi-dimensional bar code data set;
- means for providing three dimensional (3D) part shape data;
- means for combining the multi-dimensional bar code data set with the three dimensional (3D) part shape data into a composite 3D shape data set;
- and
- mass customization machinery operable to receive the composite 3D shape data set and to make, in accordance with the composite 3D shape data set, a mass-customized part with a multi-dimensional bar code embedded therein.
2 more elements
A method for manufacturing a mass-customized part, comprising:
- encoding a part identification into a multi-dimensional bar code data set;
- providing three dimensional (3D) part shape data;
- combining the multi-dimensional bar code data set with the three dimensional (3D) part shape data into a composite 3D shape data set;
- and
- using mass-customization machinery to make the mass-customized part with a multi-dimensional bar code embedded therein in accordance with the composite 3D shape data set.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.