公开(公告)号：AU3994899A

公开(公告)日：1999-12-06

申请号：AU3994899

申请日：1999-05-14

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： NGUYEN HOP D ,  ALMQUIST THOMAS A ,  LEYDEN RICHARD N ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R

IPC: B29C41/12 ,  B29C67/00

公开(公告)号：AU7481898A

公开(公告)日：1998-12-08

申请号：AU7481898

申请日：1998-05-12

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： MANNERS CHRIS R ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R

IPC: B29C41/12 ,  B29C67/00

Abstract: This invention relates to the stepwise layer-by-layer formation of a three-dimensional object through application of the principles of stereolithography and to the automatic detection of surface features of each layer of a three-dimensional object to manufacture parts more reliably, more accurately and more quickly. Automatic detection of trapped volume regions and size of solidified cross-sectional regions are disclosed. Automatic selection of recoating styles is made based on(1) the detected regions, (2) empirically or otherwise determined optimum recoating styles for different types of regions, and (3) a look-up table, other correlation system, or processor for associating recoating style information with laminae containing particular identified regions.

公开(公告)号：HK1002908A1

公开(公告)日：1998-09-25

申请号：HK98100602

申请日：1998-01-22

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 ,  B29C

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：AU4971396A

公开(公告)日：1996-08-21

申请号：AU4971396

申请日：1996-01-29

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： ALMQUIST THOMAS A ,  HULL CHARLES W ,  THAYER JEFFREY S ,  LEYDEN RICHARD N ,  JACOBS PAUL F ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C41/12 ,  B29C41/36 ,  B29C67/00

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in building three-dimensional objects on substantially a cross-sectional basis including methods and apparatus for forming successive layers using counter-rotating rollers, ink jet recoaters, spinning members which sling material, applicator bars that dispense material via a meniscus and/or independently dispensed streams, and also including methods and apparatus to determine a preferred region over which to form a layer and to check for building errors.

公开(公告)号：DE69636237T2

公开(公告)日：2007-03-29

申请号：DE69636237

申请日：1996-09-27

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： LEYDEN RICHARD N ,  THAYER JEFFREY S ,  BEDAL BRYAN J L ,  ALMQUIST THOMAS A ,  HULL CHARLES W ,  EARL JOCELYN M ,  KEREKES THOMAS A ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R ,  MEROT CHRISTIAN M ,  FEDCHENKO RICHARD P ,  LOCKARD MICHAEL S ,  PANG THOMAS H ,  THAT DINH TON

IPC: B29C67/00 ,  B22F3/00 ,  B29C35/08 ,  B29C41/12 ,  B29C41/36 ,  B29K63/00 ,  B41J2/01 ,  G03C9/08 ,  G06T17/00

Abstract: A three-dimensional object is formed by selectively depositing successive layers (14) of build material from a print-head (9) having a plurality of orifices or nozzles (10(1)-10(96)), such as an ink-jet type of print-head. The print-head (9) is moved (X-Y control) relative to a support platform (15) in a series of scans in the X-direction offset from one another in the Y-direction and possibly overlapping. The orifices (10(1)-10(96)) extend transversely of the scan X-direction and may be set at an angle (α) to it to control the resolution perpendicular to the scan direction. The platform (15) is movable relative to the print-head in the Z-direction for forming each successive layer (14). The build material is a flowable material and may be a radiation-curable material, such as an ultra-violet curable photo-polymer. The data according to which each layer is formed may be manipulated according to a selected build style to determine the selective activation of the print-head orifices.

公开(公告)号：AT209101T

公开(公告)日：2001-12-15

申请号：AT95917693

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 CHARLES W ,  VANDORIN STACIE L

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

公开(公告)号：HK1015312A1

公开(公告)日：1999-10-15

申请号：HK99100225

申请日：1999-01-15

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： LEYDEN RICHARD N ,  THAYER JEFFREY S ,  BEDAL BRYAN J L ,  ALMQUIST THOMAS A ,  HULL CHARLES W ,  EARL JOCELYN M ,  KEREKES THOMAS A ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R ,  MEROT CHRISTIAN M ,  FEDCHENKO RICHARD P ,  LOCKARD MICHAEL S ,  PANG THOMAS H ,  THAT DINH TON

IPC: B22F3/00 ,  B29C35/08 ,  B29C41/12 ,  B29C41/36 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29K63/00 ,  G06T17/00 ,  B29C

Abstract: A three-dimensional object is formed by selectively depositing successive layers (14) of build material from a print-head (9) having a plurality of orifices or nozzles (10(1)-10(96)), such as an ink-jet type of print-head. The print-head (9) is moved (X-Y control) relative to a support platform (15) in a series of scans in the X-direction offset from one another in the Y-direction and possibly overlapping. The orifices (10(1)-10(96)) extend transversely of the scan X-direction and may be set at an angle (α) to it to control the resolution perpendicular to the scan direction. The platform (15) is movable relative to the print-head in the Z-direction for forming each successive layer (14). The build material is a flowable material and may be a radiation-curable material, such as an ultra-violet curable photo-polymer. The data according to which each layer is formed may be manipulated according to a selected build style to determine the selective activation of the print-head orifices.

公开(公告)号：AU7380798A

公开(公告)日：1998-12-08

申请号：AU7380798

申请日：1998-05-12

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： NGUYEN HOP D ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R

IPC: B29C67/00

Abstract: A rapid prototyping and manufacturing apparatus and method (e.g. stereolithographic apparatus and a method) for layer-by-layer formation of a three-dimensional object represented by cross-sectional data including a method and apparatus for deriving data for at least a portion of a region intermediate to two successive cross-sections of data for use in forming the three-dimensional object with improved surface resolution. Outward-facing regions on two or more successive cross-sectional layers of the object are compared to determine whether the outward-facing region(s) associated with one of the layers represents what was originally intended to be a smooth transitional region (i.e. a sloping region) between two cross-sections or a discontinuous region (i.e. vertical transitional region) between two cross-sections. The comparison may involve utilization of common boundaries between outward facing regions on the cross-sections. The comparison may further involve the utilization of widths of the outward-facing regions on adjacent cross-sections.

公开(公告)号：MX9705844A

公开(公告)日：1997-11-29

申请号：MX9705844

申请日：1996-01-29

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： ALMQUIST THOMAS A ,  HULL CHARLES W ,  THAYER JEFFREY S ,  LEYDEN RICHARD N ,  JACOBS PAUL F ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C41/12 ,  B29C41/36 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29C67/02

Abstract: Se describen métodos y aparatos para utilizarse en el desarrollo de objetos tridimensionales en una base sustancialmente en seccion transversal incluyendo métodos y aparatos para formar capas sucesivas utilizando rodillos de rotacion contraria, recubridores de chorro de tinta, miembros de rotacion, los cuales hacen oscilar el material, barras aplicadoras que surten el material a través de un menisco y/o corrientes independientemente surtidas y también incluyendo métodos y aparatos para determinar una region preferida sobre la cual se forma una capa y para verificar los errores de desarrollo.

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.