Advanced Manufacturing & Tooling
Protecting the Processes, Fixtures, and Equipment Behind Scalable Innovation
Precision, efficiency, and repeatability lie at the core of modern manufacturing. At Schmeiser Olsen, we help manufacturers and equipment developers protect innovations in tooling, fixtures, automated systems, and fabrication processes—whether on the shop floor, in additive production lines, or across distributed global supply chains.
We work with mechanical engineers, process designers, and OEMs to secure patents for tools and systems that enable faster setup, tighter tolerances, greater flexibility, and smarter material handling—across both metal and non-metal working environments.
We protect the machinery and processes that transform design into production at scale, with consistency.
Patent Strategy for Manufacturing Processes and Tooling Systems
Manufacturing patents must capture real-world improvements in cycle time, accuracy, tooling lifespan, and integration with upstream/downstream systems. Our strategies are built around practical performance, and designed to support enforceable protection in industrial settings. We focus on what makes a process more precise, robust, or scalable, from tool geometry to control system feedback. We help clients secure patents in areas including:
Tooling & Fixture Design
– Quick-change fixtures for CNC, welding, or assembly platforms
– Adaptive tooling systems with self-aligning or multi-part configurations
– Modular dies and molds with temperature or pressure-responsive features
– Locating and clamping systems with repeatable high-precision tolerances
Manufacturing Process Innovation
– Additive manufacturing techniques with improved print resolution or build integrity
– Hybrid subtractive/additive workflows and post-processing integration
– Continuous flow or batch process control for chemical-mechanical fabrication
– Advanced joining, fastening, and material bonding strategies
Robotics & Motion Systems for Production
– Collaborative robotic systems with force-aware or torque-limited motion
– End-effectors for multi-part manipulation or shape-conforming gripping
– Feedback-controlled actuators and kinematic systems in production arms
– Multi-axis tool paths optimized for contour machining or surface finishing
Metrology, QA & Inline Inspection
– In-situ measurement systems embedded in CNC or AM platforms
– Vision-based part validation and tolerance checking
– Automated dimensional analysis and defect classification
– Closed-loop control based on real-time inspection data
Sustainability & Waste Minimization
– Scrap reduction techniques and material yield improvement systems
– Reusable jigs, fixtures, and tooling elements
– Toolpath optimization for energy-efficient machining
– Process innovations for recycled feedstock or sustainable resins/metals
practical insight
Navigating Manufacturing Patent Challenges
Manufacturing IP faces unique hurdles: functional claim restrictions, limited visibility into competitors’ processes, and overlap with trade secret protection. We help clients address:
– Balancing utility patents with trade secrets for custom workflows or parameter tuning
– Drafting enforceable process claims that don’t depend on customer visibility
– Provisional filing timing aligned with pilot runs or tooling freeze
– International protection in high-manufacturing jurisdictions (e.g., China, Germany, South Korea)
– Freedom to operate around standard industrial methods or widely adopted practices
We work closely with operations teams and technical leads to protect the competitive edge behind the scenes.
Partner with Counsel Who Understand Manufacturing Innovation
At Schmeiser Olsen, we help manufacturers, tooling suppliers, and industrial engineers protect the systems and workflows that define how things are built. Whether you’re refining an additive manufacturing process or optimizing a robotic workcell, we provide IP counsel that tracks with your operational and commercial goals.
Protect the tools and processes behind your output with patent counsel fluent in mechanical design, production systems, and scalable fabrication.
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