Stereolithographic apparatus
Assignee3D Systems, Inc.
InventorsScott Holmboe, Gary Reynolds, Matthew Stonesmith, Charles Hull, Abraham Reichental
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved stereolithography apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects using multiple chambered resin vats and a quick disconnect mounting system to permit concurrent use of multiple photopolymer build materials and easy change over of resin vats is disclosed. The apparatus permits easy change over from multiple chambered vat use to single chamber vat use and vice versa or change over between multiple chambered vats.
Claims20
An apparatus for forming three dimensional objects from solidifiable liquid material in response to energy applied to a working surface of the material comprising:
- a. a frame;
- b. a source of energy mounted to the frame for applying energy to the solidifiable liquid material;
- c. a container for holding the solidifiable liquid material mounted to the frame, the container having multiple chambers for holding separate solidifiable liquid materials;
- d. a data source to supply data representative of the three-dimensional objects to the apparatus;
- e. a data processing apparatus connected to the apparatus to receive the data representative of the three-dimensional objects and convert the data into layer data format that is processed to form layer data used by the apparatus to control the source of energy to apply energy to the solidifiable liquid material to stimulate a change from a liquid to a solid layer by layer to form the three dimensional object;
- f. a support platform on which the three dimensional objects are formed for each chamber in the container connected to the apparatus and movably supported within each chamber;
- and
- g. elevator assembly supporting each support platform in each chamber for raising and lowering the support platform in each chamber.
An apparatus for forming three dimensional objects from solidifiable liquid material layer by layer in response to energy applied to a working surface of the material, the improvement comprising multiple solidifiable liquid material containing chambers for concurrently forming three dimensional objects, the chambers being removably fastened to the apparatus and releasable from the apparatus by at least one quick release lever to permit individual or multiple chamber removal and replacement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.