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：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：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：CA2056416A1

公开(公告)日：1990-12-13

申请号：CA2056416

申请日：1990-06-01

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： LEWIS MARK A ,  LEYDEN RICHARD N ,  NGUYEN HOP D ,  ALMQUIST THOMAS A

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29C71/00 ,  B29C71/04 ,  B29K105/24 ,  H01L21/31 ,  B29C41/22 ,  H01L21/469

Abstract: 2056416 9015674 PCTABS00003 An improved stereolithographic apparatus and method is described. In one embodiment, the improvement comprises immersing at least a portion of a part (109) in a volume of a liquid solvent in a vapor degreaser while subjecting the portion to ultrasonic agitation to substantially remove excess resin (111). Several examples of solvents are provided, including ethanol, and Freon TMS. In a second embodiment, the improvement comprises building the part (109) on a layer of liquid resin (103) supported by a volume of a dense, immiscible, and UV transparent intermediate liquid, and integratably immersing at least a portion of the built part (109) in the intermediate liquid, and then either subjecting the immersed portion to ultrasonic agitation to substantially remove excess resin (111), or subjecting the immersed portion to UV light. Several examples of intermediate liquids are provided, including perfluorinated fluids, such as Fluorinert FC-40, and water-based salt solutions, such as solutions of magnesium sulfate or sodium chloride in water.