# US 2014/0191442 A1 · Apparatus and method for making an object > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191442 A1 - Document ID: US20140191442A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/239,607 - Filed: 2012-08-17 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-20 - Assignees: Zydex Pty Ltd - Inventors: Justin Elsey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191442A1 ## CPC - B29C 64/124: using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified - B29C 64/223: Foils or films, e.g. for transferring layers of building material from one working station to another - B29C 64/147: using sheet material, e.g. laminated object manufacturing [LOM] or laminating sheet material precut to local cross sections of the 3D object - B29C 64/214: Doctor blades - B29C 64/245: Platforms or substrates (support structures intended to be sacrificed after manufacture B29C64/40) - B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing - B33Y 30/00: Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING ## Abstract A method for making an object and an apparatus (100) for making the object in accordance with the method is disclosed. A section (124) of the object is formed by irradiating a layer of material (104) with a radiation (116), the layer of material being disposed on a material receiving surface (102) of a flexible element (101) shaped by a shaping member (110) contacting the flexible element (102). The radiation (116) passes through the member (110) and the flexible element (101). The member (110) is tilted to induce a peeling separation of the member (110) from the element (101). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for making an object, the method comprising the steps of: forming a section of the object by irradiating a material with a radiation, the material being disposed on a material receiving surface of a flexible element, the shape of the flexible element being affected by contact between a shaping member and the flexible element; and tilting at least one of the shaping member and the flexible element to induce a peeling separation of the shaping member from the flexible element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method defined by claim 1 wherein the radiation passes through the shaping member and the flexible element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A method defined by claim 2 wherein during the step of forming a section the material receiving surface is upwardly facing, and the shaping member Contacts a downwardly facing surface of the flexible element directly beneath the object being made to prevent the upwardly facing surface sagging. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method defined by claim 1 wherein prior to the step of forming the section is a step of tilting at least one of the shaping member and the flexible element so that they contact to shape the flexible element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method defined by claim 4 wherein the shaping of the flexible element flattens the material receiving surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method defined by claim 1 comprising the step of displacing the flexible element together with the shaping member which is pressed to the flexible element by atmospheric pressure, the displacement of the shaping member is constrained such that the shaping member is caused to tilt. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method defined by claim 1 wherein the material is in contact with the object being made during the step of forming the section. ### Claim 8 An apparatus for making an object, the apparatus comprising: a flexible element having a material receiving surface for receiving a material from which the object is made; and a shaping member that is arranged to contact the flexible element, the shape of the flexible element being affected when the shaping member contacts the flexible element, at least one of the shaping member and the flexible element can be tilted to induce a peeling separation of the shaping member from the flexible element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An apparatus defined by claim 8 configured such that in use the material receiving surface is upwardly facing and the member contacts a downwardly facing surface of the flexible element directly beneath the object being made to prevent the element sagging. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) An apparatus defined by claim 8 wherein at least one of the shaping member and the flexible element can be tilted into contact with the other. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) An apparatus defined by claim 8 wherein the shaping member is a flexible element flattening member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) An apparatus defined by claim 8 wherein the flexible element can be moved with the shaping member pressed thereto by atmospheric pressure, and a constraint constrains the movement of the shaping member such that the shaping member is caused to tilt. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) An apparatus defined by claim 8 comprising a radiation source arranged to irradiate the material so received through the shaping member and the flexible element to form a section of the object. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) An apparatus defined by claim 8 comprising a radiation source arranged to irradiate the material so received to form a section of the object, the radiation source being arranged to irradiate the material when the object being made is in contact with the material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) An apparatus defined by claim 8 configured such that the flexible element forms at least part of a vessel configured to contain the material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) An apparatus defined by claim 8 wherein the flexible element comprises a flexible sheet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) An apparatus defined by claim 8 comprising a flexible element tensioner. ### Claim 18 (depends on 8) An apparatus defined by claim 8 comprising a controller configured to receive instructions for making the object. ### Claim 19 A method for making an object, the method comprising the steps of: on a material receiving surface of a flexible element, disposing a material used to make the object; and causing relative movement between a shaping member and the flexible element, wherein during the relative movement, the shaping member affects the shape of the flexible element. ### Claim 20 An apparatus for making an object, the apparatus comprising: a flexible element having a material receiving surface for disposing thereon a material used to make the object; and a shaping member that is arranged to contact the flexible element to affect the shape of the flexible element.