System and method for computer automated manufacturing using fluent material

A system for automatically constructing a three dimensional object from a design of the three dimensional object created on a computer machine comprising:

• a) support by which said object is supported while being constructed;
• b) material dispensing means for dispensing a fluent material in the form of a generally continuous fluid strand for constructing said object;
• c) material treatment means for focusing a generally concentrated energy beam on said fluid strand after dispensing causing said material to undergo a transition from said fluent state to a fixed state in which said material is solidified to build up in layers and construct said object while supported by said support means;
• and
• d) control means for generating control signals in response to said coordinates of said three dimensional design of said object and controlling the position of said dispensing means and said material treatment means relative to said support means in response to said control signals to thereby control dispensing and transition of said material to construct said object while supporting with said support means.

An automatic process for manufacturing a three-dimensional object designed on a computer machine comprising:

• a) providing a design data file of coordinates representing said three-dimensional design;
• b) generating control signals based on said design data file;
• and
• c) dispensing a strand of material in a fluent state in response to said control signals and treating said strand of material after dispensing in a controlled time and dimensional relationship to said dispensing of said material so that said material undergoes a transition to a fixed physical state in which said material is solidified in an accurate form of said three-dimensional object.

A process for automatically manufacturing a three-dimensional object which has been designed on a computer machine comprising:

• a) providing a design data file of coordinates representing said three dimensional design as generated by said computer machine;
• b) generating control signals based on said design data file;
• c) dispensing a fluid material in a fluent physical state in response to said control signals;
• d) treating said fluent material by causing a generally concentrated energy beam to physically act upon said fluid material after dispensing in controlled time and dimensional relation to said dispensing of said fluid material to cause said fluid material to undergo a transition to a fixed, physical state in which said material is solidified in a form of said three dimensional object;
• and
• e) shielding said dispensing means from said energy beam in a controlled manner so that said energy beam acts upon said fluid material at a prescribed position, intensity, and time so as to cause said material to solidify and accurately construct said three dimensional object.