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：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.

公开(公告)号：WO9529053A3

公开(公告)日：1996-01-18

申请号：PCT/US9505148

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

CPC classification number: G06T17/00 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B29C64/40

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 Z-error 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：DE69634921T2

公开(公告)日：2005-12-01

申请号：DE69634921

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 WILLIAM ,  EARL JOCELYN M ,  KEREKES THOMAS A ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R ,  MEROT CHRISTIAN M ,  FEDCHENKO RICHARD P ,  LOCKARD MICHAEL S ,  PANG THOMAS H ,  THAT TON

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

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：DE69634921D1

公开(公告)日：2005-08-11

申请号：DE69634921

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 WILLIAM ,  EARL JOCELYN M ,  KEREKES THOMAS A ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R ,  MEROT CHRISTIAN M ,  FEDCHENKO RICHARD P ,  LOCKARD MICHAEL S ,  PANG THOMAS H ,  THAT TON

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

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：AT299090T

公开(公告)日：2005-07-15

申请号：AT02078595

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 WILLIAM ,  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 ,  B41J2/01 ,  G03C9/08

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：BR9610750A

公开(公告)日：1999-07-13

申请号：BR9610750

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: B22F3/00 ,  B29C35/08 ,  B29C41/12 ,  B29C41/36 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29K63/00 ,  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：AU6978398A

公开(公告)日：1998-11-24

申请号：AU6978398

申请日：1998-04-22

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： PARTANEN JOUNI P ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C67/00

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects from a medium solidifiable when subjected to a beam of pulsed radiation wherein the pulses of radiation are made to occur when the beam is directed to desired pulsing locations on a target surface of the medium. Preferred embodiments of the instant invention include a pulsed laser assembly, including a laser and a pulse generation circuit, a control computer, a plurality of mirrors and mirror encoders. The computer controls the movement of the mirrors which guide the laser beam across the surface of the solidifiable medium. The pulsing of the laser beam is correlated to the position of the mirrors and thus, is not dependent upon time. Pulsing linked to position of beam placement allows controlled and repeatable use of a pulsed beam for the formation of objects.

公开(公告)号：CA1339750C

公开(公告)日：1998-03-17

申请号：CA596827

申请日：1989-04-17

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

Inventor： HULL WILLIAM CHARLES ,  SPENCE STUART T ,  LEWIS CHARLES W ,  VINSON WAYNE A ,  FREED RAYMOND S ,  SMALLEY DENNIS R

IPC: B29C35/08 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B29K105/24 ,  B44B1/00 ,  G03F7/00 ,  G03F7/20 ,  G06F17/50 ,  G06T17/00

Abstract: 94 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 structurally specified to reduce curl, stress and distortion in the ultimately formed object, 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. A stereolithographic distortion known as curl is defined, and several techniques to eliminate or reduce curl are described, including dashed line, bent line, secondary structure, rivets, and multi-pass techniques. In addition, a quantitative measurement of curl known as the curl factor, and a test part known as a quarter cylinder are described, which together can be used to measure the effectiveness of the above techniques in reducing curl.

公开(公告)号：CA2210802A1

公开(公告)日：1996-08-08

申请号：CA2210802

申请日：1996-01-29

Applicant: 3D SYSTEMS INC

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

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.