Carbon’s dual-cure 3D printing patent upheld on appeal

A Board of Appeal at the European Patent Office (EPO) has dismissed a rival’s challenge against a Carbon dual-cure patent, and upheld the broadest claim in European Patent No. 3158400.

The ruling confirmed an earlier decision by the EPO Opposition Division, which had kept claim 1 intact. The board also reinstated further dependent claims that were struck from the patent in the initial opposition.

“This decision confirms the strength and breadth of the innovation that is foundational to Carbon’s platform. Dual-cure chemistry enables the production of high-performance end-use products that previously were difficult or impractical to produce with other 3D printing technologies. We will continue to invest in and protect our innovations as we advance digital manufacturing,” said Philip DeSimone, Chief Executive Officer at Carbon.

Dual-cure technology

Carbon stated that the technology was covered by patents worldwide and used by brands internationally. The process pairs a light-based print step with a second, thermally activated cure, which lets parts be tailored to an application, with temperature resistance, durability, elasticity and engineering-grade strength cited as examples.

The company said that the technology supported end-use production for consumer products and in the automotive, dental and medical sectors.

Carbon was represented in the proceedings by Mairi Rudkin and Donald McNab of Marks & Clerk. The company also listed Myers Bigel as its global representative for patent prosecution, and Kathi Vidal and Dustin Edwards of Winston Taylor for patent litigation.