公开(公告)号：CA1338521C

公开(公告)日：1996-08-13

申请号：CA596825

申请日：1989-04-17

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： HULL CHARLES WILLIAM ,  SPENCE STUART THOMAS ,  ALBERT DAVID J ,  SMALLEY DENNIS ROLLETTE ,  HARLOW RICHARD A ,  STINEBAUGH PHIL ,  TARNOFF HARRY L ,  NGUYEN HOP D ,  LEWIS CHARLES WILLIAM ,  VORGITCH TOM J ,  REMBA DAVID Z

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29K105/24 ,  G01J1/42 ,  G03C9/08 ,  G03F7/00 ,  G03F7/20 ,  G06F17/50 ,  G06T17/00 ,  G06T17/10 ,  G06T17/20 ,  G05B15/02

Abstract: 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 processed to reduce curl and distortion, and increase resolution, strength, accuracy, speed and economy of reproduction even for rather difficult object shapes, 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. The conversion of CAD/CAM data descriptive of the object into stereolithographic data used to trace cross-sections of the object is described.

公开(公告)号：DE535720T1

公开(公告)日：1996-06-27

申请号：DE92120977

申请日：1985-08-06

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： HULL CHARLES W

IPC: B22C7/00 ,  B29C35/08 ,  B29C35/10 ,  B29C39/02 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29K33/04 ,  B29K105/24 ,  B29K105/32 ,  B44C3/00 ,  B44C5/00 ,  C08F2/00 ,  C08F2/44 ,  C08F2/46 ,  C08F2/48 ,  C08J5/00 ,  G03F7/00 ,  G03F7/20 ,  G03F7/26 ,  G05D3/00 ,  G06F17/50 ,  G09B25/00 ,  G09B25/02

公开(公告)号：DE68925989D1

公开(公告)日：1996-04-25

申请号：DE68925989

申请日：1989-04-17

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： HULL CHARLES WILLIAM ,  LEWIS CHARLES WILLIAM VAN

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C41/12 ,  B29C41/36 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29K105/24 ,  G01J1/42 ,  G03F7/00 ,  G03F7/20 ,  G06T17/00 ,  G06T17/10 ,  G06T17/20 ,  B29C39/42 ,  B29C67/24 ,  G03C9/08

公开(公告)号：AT135952T

公开(公告)日：1996-04-15

申请号：AT90311877

申请日：1990-10-30

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： JACOBS PAUL FRANCES ,  HULL CHARLES WILLIAM ,  SMALLEY DENNIS ROLLETTE ,  ALLISON JOSEPH W

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29C67/02 ,  B29K105/24 ,  G03F7/00 ,  G03F7/20 ,  B29C39/42

公开(公告)号：CA1337955C

公开(公告)日：1996-01-23

申请号：CA612990

申请日：1989-09-25

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： ALMQUIST THOMAS A ,  HULL CHARLES W ,  MODREK BORZO ,  SERKUCZEWSKI ANDRZEJ R ,  JACOBS PAUL F ,  LEWIS CHARLES W ,  LEWIS MARK A ,  LIRAN ABRAHAM

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C64/124 ,  B29C41/12 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29K105/24 ,  G01F23/292 ,  G01F23/36 ,  G05D9/12 ,  B29C39/42

Abstract: A stereolithography method and system for producing three-dimensional plastic objects by forming a plurality of thin layers of partially cured plastic material which are thin cross sections of the desired object. A layer of polymerizable resin is applied to a support surface and the excess is struck off, such as with a doctor blade, to form a smoothed layer. The smoothed layer is subjected to radiation in a predetermined pattern to form the cross-sectional layer into the desired shape. A plurality of layers are subsequently applied, leveled, then cured in the same manner to produce the desired three-dimensional object. Apparatus for measuring the level of the surface of a fluid is also provided. Variations in the level of fluid will be detected and may be used to drive a pump, diaphragm, or plunger in order to maintain the level of the fluid.

公开(公告)号：DE338751T1

公开(公告)日：1996-01-04

申请号：DE89303786

申请日：1989-04-17

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： HULL CHARLES WILLIAM ,  LEWIS CHARLES WILLIAM VAN

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C41/12 ,  B29C41/36 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29K105/24 ,  G01J1/42 ,  G03F7/00 ,  G03F7/20 ,  G06T17/00 ,  G06T17/10 ,  G06T17/20 ,  B29C39/42 ,  B29C67/24 ,  G03C9/08

公开(公告)号：AT130793T

公开(公告)日：1995-12-15

申请号：AT89309762

申请日：1989-09-26

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： ALMQUIST THOMAS A ,  HULL CHARLES W ,  MODREK BORZO ,  SERKUCZEWSKI ANDRZEJ R ,  JACOBS PAUL F ,  LEWIS CHARLES W ,  LEWIS MARK A ,  LIRAN ABRAHAM ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R ,  COHEN ADAM L

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C41/12 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29K105/24 ,  G01F23/292 ,  G01F23/36 ,  G05D9/12 ,  B29C39/42

Abstract: A stereolithography method and system for producing three-dimensional plastic objects by forming a plurality of thin layers of partially cured plastic material which are thin cross sections of the desired object. A layer of polymerizable resin is applied to a support surface and the excess is struck off, such as with a doctor blade, to form a smoothed layer. The smoothed layer is subjected to radiation in a predetermined pattern to form the cross-sectional layer into the desired shape. A plurality of layers are subsequently applied, leveled, then cured in the same manner to produce the desired three-dimensional object. Apparatus for measuring the level of the surface of a fluid is also provided. Variations in the level of fluid will be detected and may be used to drive a pump, diaphragm, or plunger in order to maintain the level of the fluid.

公开(公告)号：CA2186613A1

公开(公告)日：1995-11-02

申请号：CA2186613

申请日：1995-04-25

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： GIGL JOHN J ,  PANG THOMAS H ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R ,  ALLEN KERRY J ,  VORGITCH THOMAS J ,  MANNERS CHRIS R ,  EARL JOCELYN M ,  BEDAL BRYAN J L ,  JACOBS PAUL F ,  NGUYEN HOP D ,  LEYDEN RICHARD N ,  HULL RICHARD N ,  VANDORIN STACIE L

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C67/00 ,  G06F17/50 ,  G06T17/00 ,  G03F7/20

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making high resolution objects by stereolithography utilizing low resolution materials which are limited by their inability to form unsupported structures of desired thinness and/or their inability to form coatings of desired thinness. Data manipulation techniques, based on layer comparisons, are used to control exposure in order to delay solidification of the material on at least portions of at least some cross-sections until higher layers of material are deposited so as to allow down-facing features of the object to be located at a depth in the building material which is equal to or exceeds a minimum cure depth that can effectively be used for solidifying these features. Similar data manipulations are used to ensure minimum reliable coating thicknesses exist, above previously solidified material, before attempting solidification of a next layer. In addition, horizontal comparison techniques are used to provide enhanced cross-sectional data for use in forming the object. Further, several techniques for automatically performing Zerror correction through the manipulation of a three-dimensional object representation are described. Still further, techniques for producing objects useful for investment casting applications are described, including techniques allowing for the drainage of unsolidified material. A method and apparatus for the automatic generation of vents and drain is also provided.

公开(公告)号：DE8916228U1

公开(公告)日：1995-08-17

申请号：DE8916228

申请日：1989-09-26

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

IPC: B29C41/12 ,  B29C67/00 ,  G01F23/292 ,  G01F23/36 ,  G05D9/12 ,  B29C39/42 ,  B05D1/40 ,  B05D3/06 ,  B05D5/06

公开(公告)号：CA2072136A1

公开(公告)日：1991-05-01

申请号：CA2072136

申请日：1990-10-30

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： JACOBS PAUL F ,  HULL CHARLES W ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R ,  ALLISON JOSEPH W

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29C67/02 ,  B29K105/24 ,  G03F7/00 ,  G03F7/20

Abstract: Improved methods for building stereolithographically-formed parts include providing skinned layers in more than the up- and down- facing features of the part, to methods for avoiding over-exposure of down-facing regions at points of intersection of exposing vectors, and to methods for determining skin thickness.